University of Montana–Missoula

Missoula, Montana, United States · Est. 1893 · Research University

Montana's flagship public research university educating Grizzlies for 131 years in Missoula's mountain shadow.

  • Founded February 13, 1893; public research university classified as R1 (very high research activity)
  • 11,064 students (fall 2025); 6,237 undergraduates; 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio
  • Located in Missoula, Montana; 220-acre campus bordered by Mount Sentinel and Clark Fork River
  • 11 colleges and schools including law, journalism, forestry, pharmacy, and business
  • NCAA Division I FCS athletics (Big Sky Conference); football national champions 1995, 2001
  • Notable alumni: 1 Nobel Prize winner (Harold Urey), 11 Truman Scholars, 14 Goldwater Scholars

Academics

The University of Montana comprises eleven full colleges and schools offering 500 degree pathways at associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Strengths include the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation (five undergraduate majors, multiple graduate programs), Alexander Blewett III School of Law (accredited since 1923), UM School of Journalism (founded 1914), and Skaggs School of Pharmacy (founded 1907). The university is classified as an R1 Doctoral University with very high research activity and maintains space-grant status. Faculty include 559 full-time and 232 part-time instructors.

Campus & Student Life

The 220-acre main campus features iconic landmarks including the Oval (three-acre central green), the 'M' trail on Mount Sentinel, and a 7-foot bronze grizzly bear statue. Facilities include Washington–Grizzly Stadium (26,500 seats) and the Adams Center (7,500-seat arena). The university houses nine residence halls and operates extensive student services including housing, dining, and campus recreation. Student organizations include four fraternities and three sororities; the university maintains partnerships with over 90 universities in 40+ countries.

Admissions

For fall 2017, 93% of 6,182 applicants were accepted. The entering freshman class averaged a 3.55 high school GPA with middle 50% SAT ranges of 540–650 (reading/writing) and 520–620 (math); ACT composite range 21–26. The university accepts undergraduate, graduate, international, and dual enrollment applicants. Specific current-year acceptance rates and test score ranges were not provided in available sources.

Research & Outcomes

The university generated $88 million in sponsored research funding as of 2017 (up from $12 million in 1994). Notable research centers include the Center for the Study of Central and Southwest Asia (only U.S. university offering a B.A. in this field), the Big Sky Aphasia Program, and the Mansfield Center (established 1981). Alumni achievements include 40 Udall Scholars and recognition in national journalism competitions, including recent Hearst Journalism Championship honors.

Founded
1893
Type
Research University
Courses
15
Total intake
Not yet verified
Websitehttp://www.umt.edu
HousingAvailable
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
15
Avg career outcomes
$44.5K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
Yes
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources