by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a UM degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how UM measures up.
UM is ranked #1,598 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Montana, it ranks #18 of 23 for value.
These UM majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism | #3 of 7 |
| Forest Management/Forest Resources Management | #8 of 10 |
| History and Philosophy of Science and Technology | #11 of 22 |
| Forestry | #20 of 32 |
| Environment / Natural Resources | #20 of 32 |
| Natural Resource Management | #20 of 39 |
| Wildlife, Fish & Wildl&s Science & Management | #24 of 43 |
| Wildlife Management | #24 of 43 |
| Other Music | #29 of 78 |
| Natural Resources/Conservation, General | #32 of 63 |
Below is the detailed UM value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
The University of Montana is ranked #7 out of #23 in Montana for quality and #18 out of #23 for Montana value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the UM financial aid page to be sure.
The University of Montana is ranked #1,598 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, The University of Montana is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at UM costs about $18,823. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $75,294 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $23,582 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $16,784 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $18,823 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,294 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the UM net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a UM degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $94,328 | — | — |
| All Students | $75,294 | #1,598 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $67,136 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $94,328 | — | — |
| All Students | $75,294 | #18 | D |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $67,136 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at UM shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $14,521 |
| $30K–$48K | $15,563 |
| $48K–$75K | $17,795 |
| $75K–$110K | $18,911 |
| Over $110K | $20,648 |
About 70% of UM undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $7,975 per year. Get more details on the UM financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the UM net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.