University of Idaho — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Idaho charges a net price of $14,831/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $59,324. Graduates earn a median $54,670 ten years after entry, $6,310/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.4 years — a 20-year net return of $66,876, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Idaho's 9.4-year payback ranks #770 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 40% of them, and #2 of 14 in Idaho.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,831/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $59,324 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,670 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,310/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,982 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $66,876 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Idaho's own numbers. Net price $14,831 × 4 years = $59,324 total. Median earnings $54,670 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,310 a year of premium. $59,324 ÷ $6,310 = 9.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $66,876. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Idaho students graduate with?
A median $21,982 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $54,670 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Idaho students graduate?
57% finish their degree — 43% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $59,324 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $104,077 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Idaho expensive compared with other Idaho colleges?
Its $14,831 net price runs $2,727 below the $17,558 median across the 14 Idaho colleges we profile, and $10,908 less across the full degree.