Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Moscow, Idaho
79.1% Acceptance Rate
University of Idaho — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.1%Acceptance Rate
3.47Avg GPA
1088Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$22,669Annual Cost
$54,670Grad Salary
22.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.1%
Avg GPA
3.47
Avg SAT
1088
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
950–1200
ACT Middle 50%
20–29
Avg Net Price
$13,782
Need-Based Aid
22.8% receive Pell
University of Idaho, established in 1889, is the state's land-grant research university with strengths in agriculture and law. The Moscow campus includes the new ICCU Arena. UIdaho's 'Integrated Design Lab' fosters innovation.
University of Idaho Acceptance Rate
University of Idaho (UIdaho) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 79.1% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 79.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.02
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Idaho Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Idaho follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UIdaho reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholarship priority: 2026/02/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UIdaho GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UIdaho is 3.47. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.17–3.47 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.67–3.87.UIdaho GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.47 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.27 – 3.46
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.07 – 3.26
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.06
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Applicants with an ACT composite of 26+ or SAT EBRW+Math of 1260+ are exempt from submitting the three letters of recommendation and written statement otherwise required.
- No general personal essay or statement is required for standard admission; one may be required only for specific programs, scholarships, or for applicants below the score-exemption threshold.
- Rolling admissions; acceptance rate reported between roughly 75% and 81% depending on source and cycle, with a median admitted SAT around 1110 and ACT around 24.
- Idaho's oldest (founded 1889) and largest university, with notable strength in agriculture, natural resources, engineering, and a College of Law.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UIdaho
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Idaho's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Idaho (UIdaho) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UIdaho is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UIdaho Without SAT or ACT?
UIdaho considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Idaho Average SAT Score: 1088
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Idaho is 1088 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1088 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1200 SAT or 29 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Idaho allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 950, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UIdaho. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 525 | 460 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 550 | 490 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1088 | 950 | 1200 |
Below 950, you're behind most admitted students; at 1200 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of Idaho (UIdaho) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of UIdaho's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Idaho (UIdaho) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UIdaho is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 19 | 29 |
| ACT English | 24 | 19 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 20 | 29 |
Can I get into University of Idaho with a 29 ACT?
A 29 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UIdaho's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UIdaho.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UIdaho
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UIdaho isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Calculate the score-based exemption threshold before assigning any extra application work
U of I waives the otherwise-required three letters of recommendation and written statement for applicants who score an ACT composite of 26+ or an SAT EBRW+Math of 1260+ - a precise, published cutoff, not a vague "strong scores help" guideline. Check a student's actual or projected scores against this exact threshold first, since it directly determines whether they need to gather recommendations and draft a statement at all.
For students below the score threshold, treat the written statement as a real evaluative document
Applicants who don't clear the ACT 26/SAT 1260 cutoff must submit a written statement covering goals, an explanation of past academic performance, and any extenuating circumstances - functionally closer to an academic context letter than a typical personal-statement essay. Coach these students to be direct and specific about academic context (a difficult semester, a course load change) rather than writing a generic "why I want to attend college" narrative, since that's literally what the statement is designed to address.
Use rolling admission to plan around scholarship and housing timing, not admission anxiety
With an acceptance rate around 75-81% and no binding application rounds, U of I admission itself is low-stakes for most applicants - the real planning urgency sits with scholarship deadlines (like the Invitation to Idaho or #YouAreWelcomeHere tuition-reduction programs) and on-campus housing availability. Redirect family anxiety from "will I get in" toward "am I capturing the best aid package," which is the more relevant question here.
Highlight specific strength areas (engineering, agriculture, natural resources, computer science) over generic "great research university" framing
As Idaho's oldest and largest university and a research institution with a notable College of Law, U of I has concrete programmatic strengths in agriculture, natural resources, and engineering tied to its land-grant identity and rural Palouse-region setting. Encourage students in these specific fields to name relevant programs or research centers rather than defaulting to generic "good outdoorsy school" language.
Expert Insight:
Don't let a student assume the three-letters-plus-statement requirement applies to everyone - failing to check whether their scores already exempt them from that paperwork can lead to unnecessary last-minute scrambling for recommendation letters that the university doesn't actually require for their file.
UIdaho Profile
Full Name
University of Idaho (UIdaho)
City
Moscow
State
Idaho
ZIP Code
83844-2282
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a UIdaho Degree Worth It?
At $22,669/year against a $54,670 median graduate salary, UIdaho is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $54,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.24%.
How much does a degree from UIdaho Cost?
The sticker price is $22,669/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $13,782.
22.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 30.5% take federal loans at UIdaho. File your FAFSA early and list UIdaho as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UIdaho Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $54,670. That's about 35% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Idaho. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Idaho. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Idaho. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at UIdaho
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UIdaho Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Idaho run about $54,670 a year.
At about $22,669 a year, University of Idaho is on the more affordable end.
University of Idaho's Pell Grant rate of 22.8% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 79.1%, University of Idaho's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Idaho average a 3.47 GPA.
University of Idaho doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.17 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.07, University of Idaho becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Idaho — aim above 1088, ideally within the 950–1200 range admitted students typically fall in.
University of Idaho follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Scholarship priority: 2026/02/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.