Chancellor Michael Reid | The University of Montana-Western
Chancellor Michael Reid | The University of Montana-Western
Of the two institutions in the county, The University of Montana-Western was the only one that provided detailed enrollment data at the time.
At least 1,476 people applied to Beaverhead County colleges in the 2022-23 school year.
NCES data shows that among them, around 1,480 students enrolled in the universities, all of them in undergraduate programs. In total 7.4% of undergraduates transferred from another college or university.
The reported undergraduate student body is comprised mostly of white (73.3%) and students of unknown ethinicity (10.6%).
Among the institutions that provided disclosed enrollment data, The University of Montana-Western stood out with the largest enrollment at the time, welcoming 1,424 students.
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.
Some educational data is based on estimates. Shifting demographics among student populations can sometimes result in gender totals which do not equal 100%.
| Institution | # of Applicants | # of Admitted Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Montana-Western | 1,476 | 531 | 1,424 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Dillon | -- | -- | 56 |
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