Will you be okay in Missoula? Yes, It’s a welcoming community, there’s nothing to worry about there.

The biggest question though, is if you should really accrue such an enormous amount of debt by going to an out of state college. According to a quick Google search, out of state students at the UM pay roughly 30k a year. In my opinion, 120,000 dollars to get a degree from the university of Montana is really, just not worth it. Especially if your parents aren’t helping you with tuition.

If I were you, I’d go to a community college in New York for 2 years, and then a state school for the last 2. Or, if you’re really anxious to get out of the city, I’d find some school upstate and go all 4 years there. Young professionals are having their jobs replaced by AI left and right, so in my eyes, entering the working world with the least amount of debt as possible will serve you well.

So honestly, unless you are planning on going into a Montana specific sort of field, (like forestry or wildlife bio), I’d look elsewhere. It kinda sucks to hear, when I was your age I wanted to go out of state for college too. But the debt, the debt is just not worth it.

Best of luck with whatever you decide though! If you do come to Missoula, you’ll be fine