Education was considered highly important for the state.

Academics at the college expanded with increased programs and had a four-year curriculum; the addition of other subjects and departments led to its being renamed as Western Montana College.

The Montana–Western (UMW) athletic teams are called the Bulldogs.

The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Frontier Conference since the 1933–34 academic year.

Montana–Western competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, rodeo and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, rodeo, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.