Spring 2026 enrollment numbers are in, and for the fifth consecutive year, the University of Montana reported more students than the previous year.
“The consecutive years of growth at UM are a testament to the aggressive steps we have taken to ensure our campus experience is robust and vibrant,” said Leslie Webb, UM vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “We have more work to do, but we are building the infrastructure needed to continue growing for years to come.”
This spring, 11,123 students are enrolled at UM – a 3% increase over spring 2025. UM reported 10,793 enrolled students one year ago. The 3% growth rate in total headcount at UM is similar to the growth the University experienced last fall.
With the spring census complete, UM’s leaders are hard at work bolstering the number of incoming first-year students who will graduate from high school and enroll at UM next fall.
“UM’s recruiters and executive leaders have increased the volume of outreach and high school visits this year,” Webb said. “Prospective student interest in UM is increasing, and we strongly believe we are on the right path.”
Building off of a record-high student retention figure in fall 2025, more than 90% of UM students who were enrolled in the fall semester – and did not graduate – returned for spring semester.
UM’s growth over the past year was powered by significant increases to the University’s graduate programs, as well as a large increase at Missoula College – UM’s embedded two-year college.
There are 2,868 students enrolled in graduate programs at UM, which represents a 5% increase over last spring. Missoula College saw an 8% increase in total enrollment, reaching 2,215 students this spring.
“UM remains the region’s premier institution for high-quality, rigorous graduate education and professional training,” said Ke Wu, dean of the UM Graduate School. “Thousands of graduate students at UM are expanding the boundaries of knowledge, making research breakthroughs that will improve our quality of life and bolster Montana’s economy. Our professional programs are training the next generation of teachers, entrepreneurs, health care providers and other professionals needed across our state.”
This spring, 72% of UM students are Montana residents, which represents a 2% increase over spring 2025.
Other significant data points found in the spring 2026 census include:
- The number of dually enrolled students – Montana high school students who take courses at UM – set a record. Figures show 1,240 students are dually enrolled at UM, a 10% increase over spring 2025.
- The number of UM students who are the first in their family to attend college increased to 3,341. This 6% increase brings UM’s proportion of first-generation students to 30% of the total student body.
- The number of Native American students enrolled at UM this spring rose to 772. A 3% increase over the previous spring.
More than 800 UM students graduated in December at the conclusion of the fall semester.
By: UM news service