Moscow, ID · Private University
Is University of Idaho Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,670
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,816
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,784
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$119,136
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,982
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,782
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Idaho graduates earn $9,670 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Idaho ranked by graduate earnings
31 graduates
38 graduates
20 graduates
89 graduates
19 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Idaho
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Idaho, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $101,213) and the lowest (Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies: $20,730) is $80,483/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $101,213 | 3.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $89,605 | 3.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $82,397 | 2.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,171 | 2.7x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $74,419 | 2.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $73,533 | 2.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,004 | 2.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,170 | 2.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $64,881 | 2.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $56,714 | 1.9x |
| Architecture | $54,393 | 1.8x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $54,065 | 1.8x |
| Marketing | $52,158 | 1.8x |
| Plant Sciences | $51,811 | 1.7x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $50,523 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $49,018 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $48,563 | 1.6x |
| Forestry | $46,747 | 1.6x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $46,747 | 1.6x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $46,694 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,406 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $45,238 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,009 | 1.5x |
| Animal Sciences | $43,918 | 1.5x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $43,706 | 1.5x |
| Biology, General | $42,589 | 1.4x |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | $42,334 | 1.4x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $41,914 | 1.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $40,552 | 1.4x |
| Graphic Communications | $40,404 | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,356 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $39,718 | 1.3x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $38,664 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $38,613 | 1.3x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $38,589 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,191 | 1.2x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $36,118 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy(1yr data) | $34,542 | 1.2x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $33,253 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,790 | 1.1x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(1yr data) | $31,656 | 1.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,201 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28,464 | 1.0x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesLowest | $20,730 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Idaho offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,670 10 years after starting, $9,670 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.1 years, a reasonable timeline.
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See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.