University of Idaho
University of Idaho — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Idaho at a Glance
The University of Idaho is a public land-grant research university in Moscow, Idaho, United States. Established 137 years ago in 1889 and opened three years later, it was the state's sole university for 71 years, until 1963.
1889
137 years old
$474M
$474 million (2025)
12,383
10,362 undergrad · 2,021 grad
1,585 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Idaho
Official admissions page$30
Is University of Idaho Worth It?
University of Idaho offers moderate value at $14,831/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,670, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Idaho compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 107 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #4 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #5 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #6 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #17 | University of Idaho | 55 | $14,831 | $54,670 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Idaho's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ID.
Best Programs at University of Idaho
The highest-earning program at University of Idaho is Computer Science at $70,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $16,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Idaho earns $70,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $16,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $22,875 in median debt vs. $17,500 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,831/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $70,600 | $70,600 | $22,875 |
| Chemical Engineering | $69,100 | $69,100 | $26,991 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $28,774 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,100 | $58,100 | $25,250 |
| Civil Engineering | $53,600 | $53,600 | $25,759 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,100 | $51,100 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,400 | $42,400 | $23,750 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $40,400 | $40,400 | $15,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,200 | $38,200 | $23,424 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $37,400 | $37,400 | $24,500 |
| Marketing | $33,800 | $33,800 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,500 | $32,500 | $23,281 |
| Forestry | $32,400 | $32,400 | $26,467 |
| Plant Sciences | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,750 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $30,800 | $30,800 | $28,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $30,600 | $30,600 | $19,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,300 | $28,300 | $23,446 |
| Sociology | $28,100 | $28,100 | $25,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,900 | $27,900 | $26,000 |
| Graphic Communications | $27,800 | $27,800 | $26,863 |
| Animal Sciences | $26,800 | $26,800 | $23,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $26,600 | $26,600 | $22,670 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,100 | $26,100 | $23,941 |
| Psychology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $22,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,300 | $25,300 | $23,106 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $25,100 | $25,100 | $27,250 |
| Biology, General | $23,800 | $23,800 | $25,875 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $23,600 | $23,600 | $24,500 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $23,100 | $23,100 | $23,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $17,900 | $17,900 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $16,200 | $16,200 | $17,500 |
Similar Colleges in ID
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Moscow, ID
- Student Body
- 7,747 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,831
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,670
- Median Student Debt
- $21,982