Idaho vs. The University of Montana vs. OSU vs. Western Washington University

University of Idaho, The University of Montana, Oregon State University, and Western Washington University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Idaho
The University of Montana
Oregon State University
Western Washington University

At a glance

  • Lowest net price: Idaho ($15,111 a year). Next is The University of Montana at $17,370, about $2,259 more.
  • Hardest to get into: Idaho (75.5% admitted, typical SAT 1110). OSU is close behind (77.3%, SAT 1270); Western Washington University 93.2%, The University of Montana 95.9%.
  • Highest graduation rate: Western Washington University (73%). Then OSU 61%, Idaho 51%, The University of Montana 47%.
  • Highest median earnings: OSU ($53,900 ten years after starting college). Then Western Washington University $48,000, Idaho $46,900, The University of Montana $41,000.
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Swipe to see all 4 ->
Measure Idaho The University of Montana OSU Western Washington University
Acceptance rateIdaho most selective 75.5% 95.9% 77.3% 93.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)OSU highest 990-1230 1070-1280 1140-1400 1150-1390
Average net priceIdaho lowest $15,111 $17,370 $22,467 $24,338
In-state tuitionThe University of Montana lowest $9,084 $8,552 $14,400 $9,582
Out-of-state tuitionIdaho lowest $28,320 $33,671 $38,190 $28,707
Graduation rateWestern Washington University highest 51% 47% 61% 73%
Median earnings (10 years)OSU highest $46,900 $41,000 $53,900 $48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Idaho, The University of Montana, OSU, and Western Washington University with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Idaho Check my chances at The University of Montana Check my chances at OSU Check my chances at Western Washington University
  • Applied
  • Idaho 13,443
  • The University of Montana 9,576
  • OSU 30,293
  • Western Washington University 14,115
  • Admitted
  • Idaho 10,154
  • The University of Montana 9,180
  • OSU 23,418
  • Western Washington University 13,162
  • Acceptance rate
  • Idaho 75.5%
  • The University of Montana 95.9%
  • OSU 77.3%
  • Western Washington University 93.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Idaho 19.9%
  • The University of Montana 19.3%
  • OSU 20.4%
  • Western Washington University 22.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Idaho 1110
  • The University of Montana 1180
  • OSU 1270
  • Western Washington University 1270
  • Typical ACT score
  • Idaho 23
  • The University of Montana 22
  • OSU 27
  • Western Washington University 27
  • Average high school GPA
  • Idaho 3.47
  • The University of Montana 3.36
  • OSU 3.61
  • Western Washington University 3.46
  • Typical high school grades
  • Idaho B+
  • The University of Montana B+
  • OSU A-
  • Western Washington University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Idaho Moderate
  • The University of Montana Average
  • OSU Very High
  • Western Washington University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Idaho
  • The University of Montana
  • OSU
  • Western Washington University
  • SAT range
  • Idaho 990-1230
  • The University of Montana 1070-1280
  • OSU 1140-1400
  • Western Washington University 1150-1390
  • ACT range
  • Idaho 20-26
  • The University of Montana 18-26
  • OSU 24-31
  • Western Washington University 24-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Idaho Test optional
  • The University of Montana Test optional
  • OSU Test optional
  • Western Washington University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Idaho
  • The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027
  • OSU Feb 1, 2027
  • Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Idaho $9,084
  • The University of Montana $8,552
  • OSU $14,400
  • Western Washington University $9,582
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Idaho $28,320
  • The University of Montana $33,671
  • OSU $38,190
  • Western Washington University $28,707
  • Room & board
  • Idaho $11,243
  • The University of Montana $12,804
  • OSU $16,386
  • Western Washington University $15,747
  • Average net price
  • Idaho $15,111
  • The University of Montana $17,370
  • OSU $22,467
  • Western Washington University $24,338
  • Average grant aid
  • Idaho $12,568
  • The University of Montana $9,799
  • OSU $11,230
  • Western Washington University $6,902
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Idaho 96%
  • The University of Montana 83%
  • OSU 90%
  • Western Washington University 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • Idaho 51%
  • The University of Montana 47%
  • OSU 61%
  • Western Washington University 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Idaho $46,900
  • The University of Montana $41,000
  • OSU $53,900
  • Western Washington University $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Idaho 61%
  • The University of Montana 59%
  • OSU 66%
  • Western Washington University 71%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Idaho $24,279
  • The University of Montana $23,183
  • OSU $23,500
  • Western Washington University $19,413
  • Median loan payment
  • Idaho $251
  • The University of Montana $239
  • OSU $242
  • Western Washington University $200
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Idaho 18:1
  • The University of Montana 17:1
  • OSU 18:1
  • Western Washington University 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Idaho
    • Business (12%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • The University of Montana
    • Business (22%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • OSU
    • Business (15%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Work and Family Studies (11%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (6%)
  • Western Washington University
    • Business (13%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • Idaho Moscow, ID
  • The University of Montana Missoula, MT
  • OSU Corvallis, OR
  • Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
  • Setting
  • Idaho Rural Fringe
  • The University of Montana Small City
  • OSU Small City
  • Western Washington University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Idaho 12,286
  • The University of Montana 10,811
  • OSU 37,163
  • Western Washington University 14,710
  • Type
  • Idaho Public 4 Year
  • The University of Montana Public 4 Year
  • OSU Public 4 Year
  • Western Washington University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Idaho #612
  • The University of Montana #754
  • OSU #336
  • Western Washington University #362

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Idaho in Moscow, ID, The University of Montana in Missoula, MT, Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR, and Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

By total student enrollment, Oregon State University is the largest of the four (37,163 students), followed by Western Washington University (14,710), Idaho (12,286), and The University of Montana (10,811).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Settings: Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe); Missoula, MT (Small City); Corvallis, OR (Small City); Bellingham, WA (Small City).
  • All four are public, non-profit 4-year institutions.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho 18:1; The University of Montana 17:1; OSU 18:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are lowest at Idaho ($11,243) and highest at OSU ($16,386); The University of Montana $12,804, Western Washington University $15,747.
  • The largest share of students receiving grant aid is at Idaho (96%), then Western Washington University (93%), OSU (90%), and The University of Montana (83%).
  • Average grant aid: Idaho $12,568; OSU $11,230; The University of Montana $9,799; Western Washington University $6,902.

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate): OSU 27; Western Washington University 27; Idaho 23; The University of Montana 22.
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Idaho, The University of Montana, OSU, and Western Washington University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027; OSU Feb 1, 2027; The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
  • Average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen: OSU 3.61; Idaho 3.47; Western Washington University 3.46; The University of Montana 3.36.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield): Western Washington University 22.9%; OSU 20.4%; Idaho 19.9%; The University of Montana 19.3%.

Loans and repayment

  • Median federal loan debt among borrowers: Western Washington University $19,413; The University of Montana $23,183; OSU $23,500; Idaho $24,279.
  • Median monthly federal loan payment: Western Washington University $200; The University of Montana $239; OSU $242; Idaho $251.
  • Share of former students actively paying back federal loans three years after graduation: Western Washington University 71%; OSU 66%; Idaho 61%; The University of Montana 59%.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You are comparing the maximum of four schools. Remove a college to add another.

University of Idaho
The University of Montana
Oregon State University
Western Washington University