University of Idaho combines accessible 79.1% admission rates with well above average mobility outcomes at the 77.9th percentile. The university delivers $129 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels comparable to peer institutions, supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations including 31.8% first-generation students.
With above average outcomes, supported by steady earnings growth relative to educational investment
With above average performance, driven by controlled net costs and manageable debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Idaho delivers solid return on investment through controlled debt levels and steady earnings growth. Graduates earn a median of $54,670 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 56.0th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $34,494 at the 25th percentile to $80,860 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across engineering, business, and liberal arts disciplines. The institution generates $129 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 56.6th percentile nationally on this measure.
Students seeking strong engineering and business outcomes at an open-access public university. Well-suited for Idaho residents and regional students prioritizing affordability alongside quality programs, particularly in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and business administration.
University of Idaho's combination of accessible admission with above-average mobility outcomes makes it attractive for first-generation students seeking economic advancement.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Idaho hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-idaho/analysis.
Open access with strong mobility outcomes
University of Idaho ranks #424 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 74.0th percentile. Located in Moscow, Idaho, this medium-sized public research university maintains open-access admission standards with a 79.1% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 22.8% Pell-eligible students and 31.8% first-generation students, positioning it around the national average for access measures. Graduates earn $129 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 56.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $54,670 ten years after enrollment, placing University of Idaho in the 56.0th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $50,116, graduates earn $4,554 more annually.
This combination of accessible admissions, typical access levels, and strong economic outcomes places University of Idaho within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions serve diverse student populations while maintaining solid post-graduation trajectories.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Idaho's published cost of attendance reaches $22,669 per year, including $8,816 in-state tuition, $10,380 for room and board, and $1,232 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $29,784, bringing total attendance costs to $41,637.
However, the average student pays just $13,782 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,887 from the sticker price. This net price positions University of Idaho slightly above the peer median of $14,093, with students paying $311 more annually than typical regional public institutions.
The university's financial aid effectively reduces costs for most students, with aid targeting particularly beneficial for lower-income families. Idaho residents benefit from substantial in-state tuition advantages, paying $20,968 less in tuition compared to out-of-state students.
The combination of moderate sticker prices and meaningful financial aid makes University of Idaho accessible to diverse student populations while maintaining quality academic programming and campus resources.
University of Idaho graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their careers. Median earnings rise from $42,602 six years after enrollment to $49,092 at eight years and $54,670 at ten years, representing 28.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 3,100 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $129 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of Idaho in the 56.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $43,900, reflecting the university's ability to support diverse student populations through degree completion and career entry. Earnings span from $34,494 at the 25th percentile to $80,860 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.3:1 ratio indicating meaningful variation based on program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 22.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry. The university's engineering programs drive much of the upper earnings range, while education and social science graduates comprise the lower quartiles.
University of Idaho admits approximately 79.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places University of Idaho in the Open Access category for admission selectivity, with acceptance rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that University of Idaho is slightly more selective than typical institutions in its comparison group, though the difference of 5.5 percentage points represents a modest distinction. This level of accessibility means that most academically qualified students can expect admission, though applicants should still demonstrate genuine interest in their chosen programs and meet minimum academic standards.
For students considering University of Idaho, the high acceptance rate allows for confident inclusion on college lists as a likely admission option. However, competitive programs like engineering may have additional requirements or higher standards than the overall institutional admission rate suggests.
Students should research specific program requirements and consider University of Idaho as a strong target school that provides both admission accessibility and solid post-graduation outcomes, particularly for Idaho residents and regional students seeking quality public education.
Computer Science.
30 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
57 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
33 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
82 graduates
Business/Managerial Economics.
24 graduates
University of Idaho offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #76 nationally and #2 in Idaho, producing 57 graduates with median earnings of $89,605 and a value score of 61.7.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #131 nationally and #1 in Idaho, graduating 82 students with median earnings of $80,171. Business Administration and Management ranks #78 nationally and #1 in Idaho, with 40 graduates earning $73,004.
Several programs hold top state rankings, including Adult and Continuing Education (#69 nationally, #1 in Idaho) with 86 graduates earning $44,009, and Digital Marketing (#125 nationally, #1 in Idaho) graduating 77 students with $52,158 median earnings. Psychology represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 108 students annually with earnings of $39,718, reflecting strong student demand in social sciences alongside the technical programs that drive higher earnings outcomes.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#428 ranked) | CT | 81% | $59,115 | #428 | Compare |
University Of Northern Iowa Similar quality tier (#427 ranked) | IA | 94% | $55,177 | #427 | Compare |
Georgia Gwinnett College Similar quality tier (#426 ranked) | GA | 96% | $47,730 | #426 | Compare |
Western Kentucky University Similar quality tier (#432 ranked) | KY | 97% | $43,889 | #432 | Compare |
Purdue University Northwest Similar quality tier (#434 ranked) | IN | 71% | $48,318 | #434 | Compare |