UM Western vs Salish Kootenai College
The University of Montana-Western and Salish Kootenai College, both located in Montana, offer distinct educational experiences. The University of Montana-Western, a public institution, boasts a higher acceptance rate (99%) compared to Salish Kootenai College's (75%), a private tribal college. While the University of Montana-Western excels in popular majors like Business, Education, and Health Professions, Salish Kootenai College specializes in Native American Studies, Environmental Science, and Business Administration. The student body demographics also differ, with the University of Montana-Western having a larger undergraduate population and a higher percentage of male students, while Salish Kootenai College has a smaller student body with a higher percentage of female students. Graduation rates vary, with the University of Montana-Western reporting a higher rate (58%) compared to Salish Kootenai College's (42%). Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution
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![]() Salish Kootenai College |
![]() The University of Montana-Western |
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Overview |
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Location | Pablo, Montana | Dillon, Montana |
Campus setting | Rural: Distant | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 61.0% | 73.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | 33.3% |
Application fees | $30 | |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 1,278 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 426 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 229 | |
Yield rate | 53.8% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | N/A |
High school GPA | N/A | Required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Not required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$17,319
Out of state:
$22,503
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In state:
$21,456
Out of state:
$32,920
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Average net price | $6,051 | $12,377 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,076
Out of state:
$10,260
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In state:
$4,523
Out of state:
$15,913
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$3,244
Meal plan:
$4,800
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
62.0%
Average amount $6,648 |
89.0%
Average amount $8,492 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
8.0%
Average amount $3,198 |
58.0%
Average amount $7,476 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
5.0%
Average amount $7,955 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
615
Men 31.1% Women 68.9% |
1,399
Men 33.0% Women 67.0% |
Graduate students |
5
Men 40.0% Women 60.0% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 31.4% |
International students | N/A | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Distant | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 109 | 420 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Montana Washington Idaho Nevada California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 61.8% | 41.8% |
Dropout rate | 34.4% | 26.3% |
Transferred out | N/A | 28.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Ground Transportation (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
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