UHWO vs. UM Western

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii West Oahu in Kapolei, HI with The University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Hawaii West Oahu is larger than UM Western based on total student enrollment (2,814 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii West Oahu is located in Kapolei, HI (Large Suburban setting); The University of Montana Western is in Dillon, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Hawaii West Oahu is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana Western is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii West Oahu 17:1; The University of Montana Western 16:1.

UHWO vs. UM Western Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHWO or UM Western? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Hawaii West Oahu than UM Western ($10,942 vs. $16,745).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Montana Western are 46.3% lower than at University of Hawaii West Oahu ($10,046 vs. $18,708).
• University of Hawaii West Oahu is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UM Western (about $914 more per year; $7,584.00 vs. $6,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at UHWO than at The University of Montana Western (about $414 more per year; $20,544.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Montana Western than at University of Hawaii West Oahu (81% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Hawaii West Oahu students is 59.3% larger than aid received by The University of Montana Western students ($7,639 vs. $4,794).

UHWO vs. UM Western Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHWO or UM Western? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UM Western and UHWO.

• The University of Montana Western reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii West Oahu (1020) is 10 points higher than at UM Western (1010).
• Incoming UHWO students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 18) as students at UM Western (18).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii West Oahu 931/1103; The University of Montana Western 890/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii West Oahu 15/21; The University of Montana Western 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHWO - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UM Western - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: UHWO Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UHWO students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at UM Western (3.2).
• UM Western has a higher acceptance rate (99.8%) than UHWO (95.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.2% at UHWO vs. 16.5% at UM Western.

UHWO vs. UM Western Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHWO and UM Western? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than UM Western graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii West Oahu graduates have a $5,929 lower median loan debt than UM Western graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,929).
• Among borrowers, UHWO graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UM Western graduates ($155 vs. $216).
• More UM Western graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHWO students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.