36% of applicants to The University of Montana-Western were admitted for fall 2022

The University of Montana-Western admitted 36% of applicants for fall 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Of those who were admitted, 51% enrolled.

There were 1,476 people who applied to study at The University of Montana-Western for fall 2022.

Data shows the four-year public institution in Dillon enrolled 1,424 students in undergraduate programs in fall 2022. Around 7.2% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.

At The University of Montana-Western, 57% of undergraduates are residents of Montana, and 43% are from out of state.

The undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of students who identify as white (73%) and American Indian or Alaska Native (6%).

U.S. college enrollment has been in a downward trend since peaking at around 18.1 million students in 2010. Recent increases offered some relief, but experts project a steeper decline in 2025.

This decline is likely due to two main factors. First, the pool of young adults is shrinking as birth rates have fallen nearly 23% between 2007 and 2022. Second, the rising cost of higher education, including skyrocketing student loan debt. A 2023 Wall Street Journal report shows that more than half of Americans think a four-year degree is not worth the cost.

Since enrollment numbers are dropping, worries about student debt and college fees are now being raised, casting doubt on the necessity of attending college and discouraging prospective students.

Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals that do not equal 100%.

	Total	Male	Female
Applicants	1,476	39%	61%
Admitted applicants	531	40%	59%
Enrolled	271	39%	59%