Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Idaho #454 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Idaho sits in the 65.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earn about $1,740 more than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #674 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Students at University of Idaho earn about $1,740 more than similar students at comparable institutions, a result that places the university among the stronger-performing institutions in the nonprofit four-year institutions for earnings beyond expectations. Graduates earn median $60,330 four years after enrollment, placing University of Idaho in the 45.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions — a return profile anchored by the university's strength in business and applied fields.
Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #454 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Moscow, ID, University of Idaho enrolls roughly 7,747 undergraduates. Freshman retention stands at 75.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 57.3%, reflecting solid degree-completion performance for a broad-access public university in a rural state. The composite is anchored by return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #674 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,330, and they earn about $1,740 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Idaho in the 65.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program concentration in Business contributes to outcomes that hold up well against comparable institutions in the region. Access and mobility sit lower in the composite. University of Idaho admits about 75.5% of applicants, and 23.5% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants while 31.8% are first-generation college students — a profile that reflects the university's role serving Idaho families across income levels. Azimuth ranks University of Idaho in the 51.2 percentile for access and the 77.1 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, with affordability in the 72.5 percentile — areas where the university's rural location and state funding context shape outcomes relative to larger urban peers.
University of Idaho's published cost of attendance is $23,738. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $11,270, mid-low-income families pay around $11,193, middle-income families pay about $13,374, mid-high-income families pay approximately $17,130, and higher-income families pay around $18,791. Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #392 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects both the institution's public-tuition structure and the aid reach available to students across income levels. As a public research university, University of Idaho participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA, and aid packages combine grants, loans, and work-study based on demonstrated financial need. The gap between sticker price and net price varies by income band, with lower-income families experiencing larger aid offsets relative to cost of attendance. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,982, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,162; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,330, median federal debt of $21,982 projects to a monthly payment of about $248 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #454 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,330, placing University of Idaho in the 45.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Idaho sits in the 65.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the university's concentration in health-field programs that consistently deliver strong graduate outcomes relative to student backgrounds. Students at University of Idaho earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, a pattern driven in large part by the university's dominant health-sciences program mix and its ability to move a broad-access student population into stable, in-demand careers. The institution's composite ranking reflects a balance of accessible pricing, meaningful earnings gains, and strong outcomes for students from a wide range of economic backgrounds.
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
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This is the University Of Idaho hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Idaho's published cost of attendance is $23,738. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $11,270, mid-low-income families pay around $11,193, middle-income families pay about $13,374, mid-high-income families pay approximately $17,130, and higher-income families pay around $18,791.
Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #392 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects both the institution's public-tuition structure and the aid reach available to students across income levels.
As a public research university, University of Idaho participates in federal need-based aid programs (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and institutional aid. Families apply using the FAFSA, and aid packages combine grants, loans, and work-study based on demonstrated financial need.
The gap between sticker price and net price varies by income band, with lower-income families experiencing larger aid offsets relative to cost of attendance. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,982, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,162; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,330, median federal debt of $21,982 projects to a monthly payment of about $248 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Idaho earn median 4-year earnings of $60,330, placing the institution in the 45.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,740 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Idaho in the 65.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Idaho #674 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 54.5 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects University of Idaho's focus on Business and applied fields. Psychology, General is the highest-earning program with 134 graduates earning median earnings of $42,825, and Azimuth ranks the program #300 among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Azimuth ranks Marketing #151 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 90 graduates earning $59,776, while Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ranks #107 nationally with 76 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $50,237.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Northern Iowa Similar quality tier (#15300 ranked) | IA | 93% | $55,177 | #15300 | Compare |
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Similar quality tier (#15306 ranked) | OK | 76% | $45,079 | #15306 | Compare |
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#15310 ranked) | LA | 93% | $47,021 | #15310 | Compare |
Columbus State University Similar quality tier (#15313 ranked) | GA | 99% | $44,544 | #15313 | Compare |
Minnesota State University-Mankato Similar quality tier (#15295 ranked) | MN | 88% | $56,922 | #15295 | Compare |
Computer Science
29 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
31 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
62 graduates
Civil Engineering
37 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
49 graduates
The University of Idaho offers programs focused on business, engineering, and applied sciences, reflecting its land-grant mission and regional economic needs. Business programs account for 16% of graduates, followed by Engineering at 10% and Social Sciences at 9%.
The university offers 71 programs serving approximately 1,685 students annually, with 38 meeting Azimuth's ranking threshold. Psychology, General is a key program, graduating 134 students with median earnings of $42,825 four years after enrollment.
Azimuth ranks it #287 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Digital Marketing and Teacher Education also show strong outcomes, with median earnings of $59,776 and $50,237 respectively four years after enrollment.
Engineering and technical programs lead in earnings outcomes. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn a median of $86,415 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #201 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Business Administration and Finance follow with median earnings of $81,967 and $71,929 four years after enrollment.
