

The University of Montana holds institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation or approval that may apply to an individual professional program.
For students, institutional accreditation is relevant to federal financial-aid eligibility and is commonly considered when another institution reviews transfer credit. It does not guarantee that credits will transfer or satisfy a particular major. Students considering fields such as law, pharmacy, education or health care should also check the current accreditation, approval and licensing requirements for their specific program and the state where they intend to work.
First-year applicants to the University of Montana generally apply with a completed application and an official secondary-school academic record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent. The university reviews GPA and college-preparatory coursework; it does not operate an open-admission policy for degree-seeking applicants.
In the reported admissions criteria, SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted but are not required. Recommendations are neither required nor recommended for general admission. Students applying to particular programs should check for separate prerequisites or selection procedures. Applicants whose education was completed outside the United States may need additional credential documentation, and international applicants must meet the university's English-proficiency requirements.
The reported first-year admissions cycle included 9,576 applicants and 9,180 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of about 96%. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an admission guarantee or the selectivity of every major. Applicants should verify the deadline and document requirements for their intended entry term and applicant category.
The reported undergraduate application fee for the University of Montana is $30. An application fee is charged for processing an application; it is separate from tuition, housing charges and any later enrollment costs.
Applicants facing financial hardship should ask admissions about a fee waiver before submitting payment, because waiver procedures can depend on the application method and applicant category. The amount and waiver process can also differ for graduate, professional or international applications. Applicants should use the fee displayed for their specific application rather than assume the undergraduate amount applies to every program.
Army ROTC is available through a unit on the University of Montana campus. It allows eligible students to combine university study with military leadership training. Participation in introductory ROTC coursework and accepting an ROTC scholarship or commissioning commitment are not necessarily the same decision.
Students considering Army ROTC should review its academic, physical, citizenship and service requirements with the campus program before committing. Scholarship conditions and post-graduation obligations depend on the student's contract. Applicants interested in another military branch should verify a current cross-enrollment arrangement rather than assume its ROTC unit operates on the Missoula campus.
The University of Montana admits transfer applicants and generally considers credits earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is reported for fall, spring and summer. Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and check whether their intended major has additional admission requirements.
Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of individual courses toward a degree are separate decisions. A course may transfer as elective credit without meeting a major requirement. The university also reports that it considers certain examination-based credits, including CLEP and DSST, and applicable American Council on Education recommendations; each form of credit is subject to institutional evaluation.
Before enrolling, transfer students should request an official credit evaluation and compare the result with the degree requirements for their intended program. That is especially important for sequential majors, professional programs and students planning to finish with a limited number of semesters at UM. Applicants with little postsecondary coursework may also be asked for high school records.
The University of Montana offers international study opportunities through its education-abroad advising and partner arrangements. Depending on the program, students may study for a semester or year, join a shorter faculty-led experience, or participate through an approved external provider.
The practical question is how a particular program fits the student's degree. Participants should obtain academic approval for proposed courses before departure and ask how credits will appear on their UM record. Program fees, travel, housing and aid eligibility vary; institutional and federal aid may apply differently to an exchange, a faculty-led course and a third-party program. International experiences can also have earlier application deadlines than ordinary course registration.
19% of admitted students enrolled (1,771 of 9,180)
Regular application deadline
August 31Application fee
$30Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
1175Median composite ACT score
22Percent of students submitting ACT scores
36%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
8%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.