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

Compare University of Idaho, The University of Montana, Oregon State University, and Western Washington University in one place. The table aligns tuition and aid, admissions, student body, campus context, graduation outcomes, and earnings so you can weigh fit as well as cost. Figures use the same comparable fields we publish for more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities.

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

  • Overview

  • 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
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Idaho -
  • The University of Montana -
  • OSU -
  • Western Washington University -
  • Status
  • Idaho Non-profit
  • The University of Montana Non-profit
  • OSU Non-profit
  • Western Washington University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Idaho
  • The University of Montana
  • OSU
  • Western Washington University

  • Cost

  • 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%

  • Admissions

  • 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%
  • Enrolled
  • 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
  • ACT Range
  • Idaho 20/26
  • The University of Montana 18/26
  • OSU 24/31
  • Western Washington University 24/31
  • SAT Range
  • Idaho 990/1230
  • The University of Montana 1070/1280
  • OSU 1140/1400
  • Western Washington University 1150/1390
  • 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

  • Academics

  • 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%)

  • Outcomes

  • 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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Idaho 50%
  • The University of Montana 39%
  • OSU 50%
  • Western Washington University 43%
  • % Women
  • Idaho 50%
  • The University of Montana 61%
  • OSU 50%
  • Western Washington University 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Idaho Low
  • The University of Montana Very Low
  • OSU Medium
  • Western Washington University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Idaho No
  • The University of Montana No
  • OSU No
  • Western Washington University No
  • % White
  • Idaho 76%
  • The University of Montana 79%
  • OSU 67%
  • Western Washington University 73%
  • % Asian
  • Idaho 1%
  • The University of Montana 1%
  • OSU 7%
  • Western Washington University 7%
  • % Black
  • Idaho 1%
  • The University of Montana 1%
  • OSU 1%
  • Western Washington University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Idaho 10%
  • The University of Montana 4%
  • OSU 9%
  • Western Washington University 8%
  • % Native American
  • Idaho 1%
  • The University of Montana 3%
  • OSU 1%
  • Western Washington University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Idaho 0%
  • The University of Montana 0%
  • OSU 0%
  • Western Washington University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Idaho 4%
  • The University of Montana 4%
  • OSU 7%
  • Western Washington University 9%
  • % International
  • Idaho 5%
  • The University of Montana 2%
  • OSU 6%
  • Western Washington University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Idaho 2%
  • The University of Montana 5%
  • OSU 2%
  • Western Washington University 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Idaho 62%
  • The University of Montana 59%
  • OSU 55%
  • Western Washington University 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Idaho 26%
  • The University of Montana 39%
  • OSU 42%
  • Western Washington University 16%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Idaho Yes
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • OSU Yes
  • Western Washington University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Idaho No
  • The University of Montana No
  • OSU No
  • Western Washington University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Idaho Yes
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • OSU Yes
  • Western Washington University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Idaho No
  • The University of Montana No
  • OSU No
  • Western Washington University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Idaho Yes
  • The University of Montana Yes
  • OSU Yes
  • Western Washington University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with The University of Montana in Missoula, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Idaho is larger than The University of Montana based on total student enrollment (12,286 students vs. 10,811 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Idaho is located in Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Montana is in Missoula, MT (Small City setting).
  • University of Idaho is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Idaho 18:1; The University of Montana 17:1.

Idaho vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho or The University of Montana? 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 University of Idaho than The University of Montana ($15,111 vs. $17,370).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 12.2% lower than at The University of Montana ($11,243 vs. $12,804).
  • University of Idaho is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $532 more per year; $9,084.00 vs. $8,552.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 18.9% higher at The University of Montana than at University of Idaho (about $5,351 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $28,320.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at The University of Montana (96% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 28.3% larger than aid received by The University of Montana students ($12,568 vs. $9,799).

Idaho vs. The University of Montana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Idaho or The University of Montana? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between The University of Montana and Idaho.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at The University of Montana (1180) is 70 points higher than at Idaho (1110).
  • Incoming Idaho students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at The University of Montana).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Idaho 990/1230; The University of Montana 1070/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Idaho 20/26; The University of Montana 18/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Idaho - Test optional; The University of Montana - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Idaho students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
  • The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Idaho (75.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Idaho vs. 19.3% at The University of Montana.

Idaho vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Idaho and The University of Montana? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • University of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than The University of Montana's (47%).
  • Graduates from University of Idaho earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have a $1,096 lower median loan debt than Idaho graduates ($23,183 vs. $24,279).
  • Among borrowers, The University of Montana graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Idaho graduates ($239 vs. $251).
  • More Idaho graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.