The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana · Public · 7,488 undergraduates · umt.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Acceptance rate
96%
of applicants
Annual cost (2027-28)
$32,740Est.Estimate
$58,790 out of state
The University of Montana is test optional for students starting in fall 2027: you choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. Its acceptance rate is 96%. The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 23 to 28. A year in 2027-28 is expected to cost about $32,740 for in-state students and $58,790 for out-of-state students before financial aid.
Updated
Your chances and merit aid at The University of Montana
See your chances of admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
96% of applicants admitted
Target
Your ACT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
No estimate
That's for out-of-state students. .
Your cost before merit aid
$58,790
a year in 2027-28, from a $58,790 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1200
Not enough data to advise
There isn't enough data on this college's freshmen to say whether sending your SAT helps.
Fine-tune this advice
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your GPA, test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
Source: How to Apply: Undergraduate · Checked November 3, 2026
Acceptance rate
96%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
ACT composite 23 to 28
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$32,740
a year, in state
$58,790
a year, out of state (tuition $36,080)
- Tuition (in state)$10,030
What families pay after aid
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$19,112
- $30,001 to $48,000$19,857
- $48,001 to $75,000$21,615
- $75,001 to $110,000$23,224
- Over $110,000$24,484
Financial aidEstimate
41%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
83%
of freshmen receive grants
$9,799
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
National Merit University of Montana Scholarship (NMSC college-sponsored)
National Merit
Deadline: Name this college your first choice with NMSC.
Details
Montana programs for residents
Montana University System (MUS) Honor Scholarship
State program · In-state students
Tuition waiver at home campus (MUS states average value ~$5,000/yr at a 4-year campus; fees not covered)
- 3.40+ GPA, Single tier (competitive ranking); Montana accredited HS 3+ yrs incl. senior year; MUS rigorous core or IB diploma; U.S. citizen; accepted to eligible campus; take ACT/SAT by February of senior year; apply Dec 1-Mar 15, an application, essay or interview
National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship (MUS tuition waiver)
State program · In-state students
Tuition waiver
- National Merit Semifinalist; Selected as National Merit Semifinalist (PSAT/NMSQT-based); enter an MUS campus within 9 months of HS graduation
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
41 of 41
Earn credit with a score of 3
41 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,000Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTZ 105A |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ARTZ 108A |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | AAST TR1HY |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ARTH 150H |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BIOB 160N/161N OR BIOB 170N/171N OR BCH 110/111 |
| Biology | 4 | 9 | BIOB 160N/161N, BIOB 170N/171N |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | M 171 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 8 | M 171, M 172 |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 3 | 4 | M171 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 3 | CHMY TR1N |
| Chemistry | 4 | 3 | CHMY 121N |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 8 | CHIN 101 CHIN 102 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PSCI 220S |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | CSCI 151 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CSCI 150 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ARTZ 105A |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 | WRIT 101 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 | LIT TR1L |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 | 6 | LIT 110L |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 4 | ENSC TR1N |
| Environmental Science | 4 | 4 | ENSC 105N |
| European History | 3 | 6 | HSTR TR1HY |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 8 | FRCH 101 FRCH 102 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 8 | GRMN 101 GRMN 102 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GPHY 121S |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 8 | ITLN 101 ITLN 102 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 8 | JPNS 101 JPNS 102 |
| Latin | 3 | 8 | LATN 101 LATN 102 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECNS TR1S |
| Macroeconomics | 4 | 3 | ECNS 202S |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECNS TR1S |
| Microeconomics | 4 | 3 | ECNS 201S |
| Music Theory | 3 | 6 | MUSI TR1 Determined by Music Department |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 5 | PHSX 205N PHSX 206N |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 5 | PHSX 207N PHSX 208N |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHSX 217N |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHSX 215N |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 4 | M 151 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSYX 100S |
| Research | 3 | 3 | HONR 190 |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | HONR 194 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 8 | SPNS 101 SPNS 102 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 6 | SPNS TR1L |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | STAT 216 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PSCI 210S |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HSTA TR1HY |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 | HSTR TR1HX |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
49%
Come back for a second year
75%
Typical earnings
$48,823
a year, 10 years after starting here
- The University of Montana$73,454
- All colleges$71,390
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 26 majors here have earnings data.
Common questions about The University of Montana
Is The University of Montana test optional for fall 2027?
Yes. The University of Montana is test optional for students starting in fall 2027: you choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score.
What SAT score do you need to get into The University of Montana?
The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 23 to 28. A quarter scored above that range and a quarter below it.
What ACT score do you need to get into The University of Montana?
The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 23 to 28. A quarter scored above that range and a quarter below it.
What is the acceptance rate at The University of Montana?
The acceptance rate at The University of Montana is 96%.
How much does The University of Montana cost?
A year at The University of Montana in 2027-28 is expected to cost about $32,740 for in-state students and $58,790 for out-of-state students before financial aid. After grants and scholarships, freshmen who got federal aid paid $21,302 a year on average.
Does The University of Montana offer merit scholarships?
Yes. The University of Montana offers a merit scholarship, the National Merit University of Montana Scholarship (NMSC college-sponsored).
Does The University of Montana give credit for AP exams?
Yes. The University of Montana gives credit for all 41 AP exams it lists. A score of 3 earns credit on each of them.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with The University of Montana.