The University of Montana (UM) is continuing its upward enrollment trend, reporting a 4.3% increase in student numbers for the spring 2025 semester compared to the previous year.
“The trend is clear—more students are choosing the University of Montana than at any point in the past decade,” said UM President Seth Bodnar. “With student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates growing, it’s a great time to be a Griz.”
The boost in enrollment follows a strong fall semester, when UM welcomed its largest first-year class in nine years and recorded its highest year-over-year growth rate in 15 years.
A key driver of the university’s growth is its commitment to preparing Montana’s high school students for higher education and workforce development. UM’s dual enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college courses, has seen record participation. This spring, 1,127 high school students are taking classes at Missoula College, UM’s two-year affiliate, bringing the total number of dual-enrolled students to an all-time high. The university offers up to two college courses at no cost to high school students.
“When a student pursues dual enrollment at UM while still in high school, they get a head start that helps them accelerate into college, lower the cost of their education, and graduate on time,” Bodnar said.
UM’s growth this semester includes a 2.5% increase in undergraduate enrollment, a nearly 1% rise in graduate student enrollment, and a 2.6% uptick at Missoula College. The university also welcomed 732 new students this spring, marking a 10.2% increase over last year.
Montana residents continue to make up the majority of UM’s student body, accounting for nearly 70% of total enrollment, while 30% of students come from out of state.
Other key demographic trends include:
- Student veteran enrollment increased by 11.7% over spring 2024.
- Native American student enrollment grew by 4.6%.
- First-generation college students at UM saw a 30.8% increase.
By: DNU staff