MISSOULA – This fall, 11,064 students are enrolled at the University of Montana, marking the fifth consecutive year of enrollment growth at the University.

Since 2021, UM has grown by more than 16%, adding 1,562 students to its overall headcount.

“Students choose UM because they will succeed here, our Griz community will support them, and we will help them launch a meaningful career and lead a fulfilling life,” said UM President Seth Bodnar.

Fueling UM’s enrollment growth this year was a record retention rate of 77.2%. Retention measures the rate that students persist between their first and second year at UM. First-to-second-year retention at UM has increased by 9 percentage points since 2018.

“Our No. 1 priority is to place student success at the center of all we do, and these record-breaking student success rates are a testament to the hard work and dedication of UM’s talented faculty and staff members,” Bodnar said. “Given the high number of first-generation college students on our campus, this work is truly changing the economic trajectory for thousands of Montana families.”

In addition to the more than 11,000 students enrolled in credit-bearing courses, UM is also serving a rapidly growing number of learners through innovative and responsive short-term education and training programs -- often developed in partnership with employers -- aimed at meeting Montana’s immediate workforce needs.

Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, UM served 10,387 individuals through noncredit courses and trainings, reaching learners at all stages of their lives and careers. These courses are usually several weeks or months in length and are designed to help learners re-skill, upskill or change careers in response to employer needs across the state. To date, noncredit courses and trainings are not reflected in official enrollment numbers.

“In today’s rapidly changing labor market, everyone deserve access to education that meets their specific needs and is delivered on their timeline,” Bodnar said. “UM has made investments to bolster our ability to serve learners beyond the traditional 18- to 22-year-old college student. We are proud that more than 10,000 people have benefited from these courses during the past year, landing jobs in growing fields like health care, construction and technology.”

Additionally, the number of UM graduate students enrolled in the fall 2025 semester increased by 9% over fall 2024 semester to a record of 2,910, making UM the largest graduate school in the state. UM’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law also grew by 4% to 280 students.

Missoula College, the two-year college embedded within UM, grew by 17% over fall 2024 semester to a total of 1,637 students. The rapid growth at Missoula College is driven by a strong retention effort for continuing students and a boost in dual enrollment from area high schools.

In total, 69% of the UM student body are Montana residents, a 3.1% increase over fall 2024 semester.

Other data points found in the fall 2025 census include:

• The number of first-generation students at UM increased by 592 students over last year. Thirty-three percent of the entire UM student body are the first in their family to attend college.
• 2,444 UM undergraduate students are eligible for federal Pell Grants. Students eligible for Pell Grants come from families who earn significantly less money than the state’s median wage and make up 31% of UM’s total undergraduate student enrollment. 
• UM currently has 817 Native American students enrolled for fall semester. Native American enrollment has increased by more than 40% since 2018.
• The number of student veterans on campus this fall is 397, which is 3.6% of the entire student body.