ISU vs. Idaho

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with University of Idaho in Moscow, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than Idaho based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 12,286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); University of Idaho is in Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Idaho is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; University of Idaho 18:1.

ISU vs. Idaho Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Idaho? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Idaho State University than Idaho ($12,174 vs. $15,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 29.9% lower than at University of Idaho ($7,882 vs. $11,243).
• University of Idaho is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $474 more per year; $9,084.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Idaho than at Idaho State University (about $600 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at Idaho State University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($12,568 vs. $9,217).

ISU vs. Idaho Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Idaho? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Idaho and ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Idaho 990/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Idaho 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; Idaho - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Idaho students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at ISU (3.41).

ISU vs. Idaho Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Idaho? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of Idaho earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Idaho State University graduates have a $1,329 lower median loan debt than Idaho graduates ($22,950 vs. $24,279).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Idaho graduates ($237 vs. $251).
• More Idaho graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.