Last Updated: Aug 18, 2026 at 6:03pm
University of Montana Western
710 S Atlantic St
Dillon, MT 59725
United States
Institution Overview
The University of Montana Western is a small, public university located in Dillon, MT. What sets Montana Western apart from other institutions is the unique class schedule called Experience One. This is a block schedule that engages students and faculty in actively exploring the knowledge, purposes, and practices in every field of study.Experiential learning opportunities make up the heart of Experience One, or X1 for short. Here's how it works. While still running on a semester system, students can complete four courses while only taking a single course at a time. Each course will last about 18 school days and students will typically be in class for about three hours each day. Taking four courses or ""blocks"" during the semester will allow students to earn the same amount of credit as under traditional multiple-class systems.
The bottom-line is that students truly experience their education through concentrated, active learning. They'll have an advantage as they enter the workforce or continue on with graduate studies because their portfolio will already contain real-world educational experiences and projects. These projects often help the community at the same time by providing key services and contributing to ongoing research studies.
Basic Stats
Type: In-State College / University
Enrollment: $1,295
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Affiliations:
Montana University System
Montana University System
Which Montana events are you attending:
Montana Fall Fairs, Guide Advertisement, Counselor Update
Montana Fall Fairs, Guide Advertisement, Counselor Update
Official school colors:
Red, Black, White
Red, Black, White
Costs
In-State Tuition By Credit: $234
Out-Of-State Cost By Credit: $792
In-State Tuition Cost Per Year: $5615
Out-Of-State Cost Per Year: $18997
Books & Supplies Per Year: $1200
Room & Board Per Year: $10870
Application Fee: $30
Ask us about our featured departments
Business and Technology
Our department is now offering a Bachelor's degree in Farm and Ranch Management. Our students have recently completed internships within the following industries: agriculture, equine, restaurant, hospitality, retail, landscaping, sport and leisure, real estate, automobile, construction and technology.
Mathematics
Montana Western Mathematic students have gone on to conduct research at NASA, formulate policy for the National Academy of Sciences, and become award-winning educators. Our students have utilized mathematics to model the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, predict Whirling Disease outbreaks in Montana grayling populations, understand the population dynamics of sockeye salmon in Alaska, model the recessions of glaciers in Glacier National Park and determine how factors interact to produce colony collapse disorder in honeybees.
Fine Arts
Fine Arts students have pursued careers as practicing studio artists and employees of art galleries, museums, and community arts centers. They are also prepared to continue their education in graduate study in the visual arts. Montana Western is one of the only four-year universities in the country to offer a degree with a scientific glass specialization.
Health & Human Performance
Our students are prepared to pursue graduate studies or employment in personal/corporate fitness, wellness programming, public health, exercise science, and exercise prescription. We have a 100% placement rate of employment for Physical Education and Health graduates and 100% placement in Physical Therapy programs at their schools of choice.
Equine Studies
The Natural Horsemanship program has one of the highest retention rates at the University of Montana Western. UMW is the only university in the country that provides a Bachelor's degree in Natural Horsemanship. Montana Western students in the Equine Studies Department have gone on to complete international internships in France, Germany, and Australia.
Environmental Science
Within the Environmental Science Department, over 90% of our graduates have jobs in their field within two years of graduation. With Southwest Montana as our classroom and students contributing to field-based projects, our program is recognized as one of the nation's top-ranked environmental science programs.
History, Philosophy, & Social Sciences
Montana Western psychology students have pursued degrees in counseling, social work, art therapy, occupational therapy, law school, and MBA and PhD programs. Montana Western history students can engage in their own research and present at the UMW Research Symposium and regional conferences.
English
Montana Western English majors graduate prepared for careers in editing, journalism, public relations, communications, and other related fields. A major in English positions students to succeed in graduate school in journalism, creative writing, English, education, and law.
Education
The Education program at Montana Western is the oldest in the state. Montana Western has been ranked the Best College for Education in Montana by niche.com.
Biology
Our students receive the necessary courses to be accepted into medical school, veterinary school, and other biomedical career paths. Our Ecology program is aligned with the national standards of certification through the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society. Faculty utilize our undergraduate students to assist with active research projects within the department.
Social Media Highlights
Montana Western Student Turns Class Project into Published Research2026 Colt Sale Raises $290,000 for Natural Horsemanship Program
UMW Student Cady Brown Selected for Prestigious National Farm Bureau Internship
Career Pathways offered by institution
• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Arts, A/V Technology and Communication, Business Management, Education, Finance, Health Professions, Human Services, Marketing, STEM, Other Specialized ProgramsAcademic Programs
BACHELOR OF SCIENCEBIOLOGY
Integrative Biology
Molecular Biology
Pre-professional Medical and Veterinary Science
ECOLOGY
Fish and Wildlife Ecology
Integrative Ecology
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Pre-K – 3rd Grade
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Art K-12
Biology
Business & Computer Applications
Coaching
Computer Science K-12
Drama K-12
Early Childhood Education
Earth Science
Earth Science Middle School
English
Instructional Technology
Life Science Middle School
Mathematics Middle School
Physical Science Middle School
Social Studies Middle School
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Geology
Sustainable Natural Resource Management
Wetlands Management
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental Naturalist
Natural Resource Stewardship
FARM & RANCH MANAGEMENT
NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCE
KINESIOLOGY
Coaching
MATHEMATICS
Statistics & Data Analysis
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP
Management
Psychology
Science
Instruction
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Art Education K-12
Biology*
Business & Computer Applications Education
Earth Science*
English*
General Science Broadfield*
Modern History*
Teacher Librarian
Literacy K-12
Mathematics*
Music K-12
Physical Education & Health K-12
*Denotes double major
BACHELOR OF ARTS
MODERN HISTORY
Constitutional Studies
Psychology
Systems of Thought
PSYCHOLOGY
Constitutional Studies
Modern History
Systems of Thought
GLASS
VISUAL ARTS
Illustration
Pre-Art Therapy
Studio Art
ENGLISH
Professional Writing
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Dates to Remember
- December 1 – FAFSA Priority Deadline
- February 1 – UMW Scholarship Deadline
- March 20 - Experience Montana Western | Campus Preview Day
- November 1 – UMW Scholarship Application opens
- October 1 – FAFSA opens for all students
- September 27 – Experience Montana Western | Campus Preview Day
Deadlines
Priority Application Deadline: 1-Jul
Priority Financial Aid Deadline: 1-Dec
Online Resource Links
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How does the average student excel at the University of Montana Western?
Institution Contacts
Jayden Skyes - Admissions Office Manager
(406) 683 - 7015
Molly Bryant - Admissions Representative
(406) 683-7450
Sarah Detlaff - Admissions Representative
(406) 683-7451
Chrissy Stokes - Director of Admissions
(406) 683-7453
Student Life & Community
- Montana Western athletes compete in NAIA and NIRA. Sports include Football, Volleyball, Rodeo, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Track, Cross Country, and Cheer Squad.
- Montana Western has numerous student clubs/organizations and intramural athletics.
- Montana Western offers an incentive program called Paw Prints for Success. Paw Prints are earned by engaging in campus activities, both academic and extra-curricular. At the end of each semester, students can attend a live auction and use their Paw Prints to win fantastic prizes!
- Montana Western’s dining services offer a high-quality selection of foods to satisfy the dietary needs of all students and includes a farm-to-college program.
Campus Visit
https://apply.umwestern.edu/portal/campus-visitsWith the above link, students are able to schedule an on-campus visit, virtual visit, or a group visit to Montana Western.
Campus tours are offered on most weekdays at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. You can also request to visit with a professor to learn more about our programs. All professor meetings will be scheduled for 11:30 AM, regardless of the tour time.
If you are unable to make the trip to campus, we can schedule a virtual visit with a member of our Admissions team.
We do not have set times for our group tours. Simply submit the quick form and we will do our best to accommodations.
Highlights
- #1 | Best Academics in Montana by Niche.com
- #15 | Best Regional Colleges (West) by U.S. News & World Report
- #5 | Top Public Schools - Regional Colleges (West) by U.S. News & World Report
- 99% acceptance rate for completed applications
- Montana Western has the most affordable tuition in the state.
- Montana Western offers unique, hands-on programs. For example, students can earn degrees in Natural Horsemanship and Glass, or minor in Farm and Ranch Operations or Outdoor Industry Business Management.
- Only public university to offer block scheduling. Learn more at: https://www.umwestern.edu/experienceOne/.
Important Things To Know
- Average class size at Montana Western is 15 and classes are capped at 25.
- Experience One, Montana Western’s block scheduling, is very unique in today’s postsecondary educational system. It’s demanding, but very successful. Students graduate with real experience to use for jobs or graduate school.
- Montana students can apply to Montana Western for free at any time through our online application at https://www.umwestern.edu/apply-to-university-of-montana-western/. Students will also need to submit a current high school transcript and immunization records, with two doses of MMR, to complete their application file.
- Students may also choose to attend one of our Campus Preview Days held in March.
- Students may schedule a campus tour on most weekdays at 9 AM or 1PM. To schedule a campus visit, call (877) 683-7331 or visit https://apply.umwestern.edu/portal/campus-visits.
- We offer 5 full-tuition scholarships to Montana students. The Chancellor’s Leadership Scholar’s Award requires a 3.6 cumulative GPA and a 26 ACT or 1260 SAT.
Last Updated: Aug 18, 2026 at 6:03pm