Admit rate has ranged 74%–81% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Idaho is Idaho's flagship land-grant research university, a place where the rugged, practical spirit of the West meets serious academic ambition. Its sprawling, tree-lined campus in Moscow serves as a launchpad for students into powerhouse programs in engineering, agriculture, and natural resources, all within a tight-knit, community-oriented atmosphere that defines the Vandal experience. This is a university built for hands-on learners who want a high-value education without the cutthroat competition of more selective coastal schools.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
7,747
In-state tuition
$9,084
Out-of-state tuition
$28,320
Campus Housing
42% of students
Popular Majors
Business, Social Sciences, Agriculture
Flagship Programs
Engineering, Law, Agriculture, Physical Sciences
Average Aid Package
$13,926
Test-Flexible Policy
ACT ≥26 or SAT ≥1260 not required
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Graduation Rate (6-yr)
57%
Out-of-State Scholarship
~$16,000/year
Students Receiving Financial Aid
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,670
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.7×
Median debt at graduation
$21,982
Graduation rate
57%
First-year retention
76%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
62%
Pell (lower-income) share
23%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
32%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$74,576
Chemical Engineering$68,499
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$67,101
Mechanical Engineering$59,982
Civil Engineering$57,860
Business Administration, Management and Operations$50,439
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
9
Per 1,000 students
0.86
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
98
Summer high
78°F
Winter low
26°F
Annual rain
25.5"
Annual snow
60.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
425
Scholarly works
46,297
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.5%
Bottom → top quintile
24%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Idaho?
University of Idaho's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Moscow, ID), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Idaho?
Admitted students at University of Idaho typically score 990–1230 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Idaho cost?
At University of Idaho, the average net price (after aid) is about $14,831 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Idaho?
University of Idaho enrolls approximately 7,747 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Idaho located?
University of Idaho is located in Moscow, ID.
Admissions
The University of Idaho operates with an accessible admissions philosophy, positioning itself as a primary destination for Idaho students and a compelling option for out-of-staters seeking a high-value public education. With an of 76%, the process is less selective, focusing on bringing in a broad class of students prepared for university-level work. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 990–1230, and the average GPA of admitted applicants is 3.4. The university employs a test-flexible policy: applicants with an ACT composite of 26 or higher or an SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Math score of 1260 or higher are not required to submit additional test scores. While the provided sources do not specify an Early Decision plan or its associated acceptance rates, the overall admissions strategy appears geared toward capacity and fit rather than exclusivity. Demonstrated interest is a factor commonly evaluated in admissions, as indicated by discussions of the 's C7 section, which details how colleges rate interaction with prospective students.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Management Information Systems and Services$50,270
Applied Mathematics$44,933
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Idaho's academic identity is deeply rooted in its land-grant mission, offering over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strength in applied, resource-based fields. The most popular majors cluster in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; and Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science. However, the university's reputation is built on its robust engineering college (with noted strength in electrical, mechanical, civil, computer, and chemical engineering), alongside highly regarded programs in law, chemistry, physics, and agriculture. This breadth allows students to explore everything from the arts and basic mathematics to environmental science and engineering technology. The academic offerings extend to the Idaho Falls campus, which provides undergraduate degrees in business administration, environmental science, and engineering technology, emphasizing a strong academic foundation. The curriculum is designed to be hands-on and research-oriented, reflecting the university's status as Idaho's top research institution.
Life as a Vandal is defined by community engagement on a classic residential campus nestled in the rolling hills of the Palouse. A significant portion of the student body—42%—lives in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, creating a cohesive on-campus nucleus, while 58% live off campus. The university actively promotes a vibrant campus life through numerous clubs, leadership programs, recreation, wellness initiatives, and a packed calendar of campus events. A cornerstone of this cultural scene is the famed Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, a major event that enhances the student experience. Students are encouraged to join clubs, try new sports, and build lifelong friendships, all supported by a university ethos that describes itself as a 'brave and bold' community in pursuit of higher aspirations. The overall vibe is one of a welcoming, active community where it's easy to find your niche, whether through organized sports, academic clubs, or the extensive leadership opportunities highlighted in campus promotions.
The University of Idaho prepares its graduates for entry into the workforce with solid, if not elite, financial outcomes. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. For those who graduate, the median earnings six years after starting are reported at $42,602, with other sources noting typical earnings for graduates around $32,103. A significant 73% of graduates earn more than a high school graduate. These outcomes reflect the university's focus on practical, in-demand fields like engineering and business. The average debt at graduation is $21,403, a figure that places a tangible cost on the degree but is often offset by the earning potential of the university's strongest programs.
The University of Idaho markets itself as a high-value proposition, with a —the average cost after aid and scholarships—of $14,831. A substantial 89.73% of students receive financial aid, with the average aid package totaling $13,926. The university provides tools like a Net Price Calculator to help families estimate their personalized , which includes grants and scholarships. A key strategy for attracting non-resident students is the out-of-state scholarship, which can award nearly $16,000 per year (almost $64,000 over four years), dramatically reducing the cost barrier. The primary purpose of financial aid at U of I, as stated in official policy, is 'to provide financial assistance to students who, without such aid, would not be able to enroll in, or continue in, the university.' The university's aid packages commonly include loans, as resources for applying for Parent PLUS loans are provided, and there is no indication from the provided sources of a 'no-loan' policy that meets full need without loans.
The University of Idaho carves out a distinct niche as the state's undisputed flagship and land-grant research university. It stands out not for cutthroat selectivity, but for delivering serious, hands-on education in fields critical to the region and the nation—engineering, agriculture, natural resources, and law—at a public university price point. The combination of a beautiful, traditional campus in Moscow with a genuinely supportive and engaged community creates a classic college experience that is increasingly rare. Its value proposition is sharpened by aggressive out-of-state scholarships that make it competitive for non-residents. While its graduation rates and median earnings may not top national charts, they represent a solid return on investment, particularly for students who tap into its flagship programs. This is a university for doers and builders, for students who want the resources of a research institution wrapped in the community feel of a smaller college, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific Northwest.
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