University of Idaho
#2 Best Colleges in Idaho- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,670 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,831 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 76% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.6 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Colleges in Idaho.
Every $1 spent returns $25.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,456,977.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #350-400
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 16/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Idaho Matters
University of Idaho is a public research university in Moscow, ID ranked #350-400 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 7,747
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology
Why students choose University of Idaho
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 76% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 990–1230. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,831 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,670 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $21,982 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 47% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.42 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
The University of Idaho has an acceptance rate of 76%, making it accessible to a wide range of students. With nearly 7,750 enrolled, it offers a vibrant campus life in Moscow, Idaho. Students looking for a supportive community and diverse academic programs may find this school appealing.
In terms of outcomes, graduates of the University of Idaho earn a median salary of $54,670 ten years after entering the workforce. While the graduation rate stands at 59%, this figure reflects the challenges faced by many students. The Opportunity Insights data does not provide a specific mobility rate for the university, leaving some questions about the economic advancement of its graduates.
The cost of attendance is relatively manageable, with a net price of $14,831 and a median debt of $21,982. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing degrees in Humanities, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Engineering, or Psychology. Individuals seeking a practical education with a focus on community and collaboration may find their fit at the University of Idaho.
Rankings
- #2 Best Colleges in Idaho
- #2 Best Business Colleges in Idaho
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho
- #16 Best Colleges in Rocky Mountains
- #18 Colleges With the Largest Endowments Per Student
- #41 Colleges With the Best Loan Repayment Rates
- #41 Colleges With the Highest Mobility Rates
- #41 Best Success Rate for Low-Income Students
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Idaho is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Idaho? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Moscow, Idaho, University of Idaho admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,116. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1116
- ACT Midpoint
- 24
- SAT Range
- 990–1230
- ACT Range
- 20–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,288
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 13,393
- Admitted
- 9,891
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Idaho? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Idaho is $28,320, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,831. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,270 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,982 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,084
- Out-of-State
- $28,320
- Avg Net Price
- $14,831
- Median Debt
- $21,982
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,270
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,193
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,374
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,791
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Idaho — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Idaho Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Idaho earn a median of $54,670, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,602
- 8 Years
- $49,092
- 10 Years
- $54,670
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.4x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (577)
- 37%
- 100% (577)
- 37%
- 100% (577)
- 37%
- 100% (577)
- 37%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Idaho Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Idaho delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,831/year ($59,324 total). Graduates earn $54,670 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,516,301 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,456,977 (25.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,982, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,324
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,516,301
- Net Return
- $1,456,977
- ROI Multiple
- 25.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,831
- Median Debt
- $21,982
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Idaho Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Idaho is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.53%, well above the typical college. About 6.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.53%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 23.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $117,659
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 16/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 24/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 26/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-26,807,505
Top Programs
The fields University of Idaho awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $59,931 early-career
- Engineering 9% $81,390 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $38,313 early-career
- Psychology 6% $31,247 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $33,335 early-career
- Education 5% $47,548 early-career
- Humanities 5% $32,002 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $88,611 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Idaho's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Idaho? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Moscow, Idaho, University of Idaho admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,116. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Idaho? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Idaho is $28,320, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,831. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,270 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,982 in federal student loans.
Is University of Idaho Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Idaho earn a median of $54,670, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Idaho Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Idaho is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.53%, well above the typical college. About 6.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $86,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Idaho? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Idaho. Its economic connectedness score is 1.42, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Idaho? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Idaho at #350-400 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 16/100, teaching at 29/100, and citation impact of 24/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Idaho.
- Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT · Close peer49% grad $58,562 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · Close peer59% grad $53,390 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY · Close peer56% grad $54,496 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · Close peer62% grad $55,356 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · Close peer54% grad $57,466 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · Close peer56% grad $59,637 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Idaho? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Idaho. Its economic connectedness score is 1.42, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note