University of Idaho

<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>High number of academic programs </li><li>Accepts AP, CLEP, dual, and experiential learning credits </li><li>Offers tutoring, disability support, counseling, and on-campus daycare services, as well as academic advising and a career center </li><li>Endowment has grown by 15.2% between 2010 and 2011 </li><li>Student debt following graduation is $2,264 less than the national average </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>Total cost (including tuition, room and board, and living expenses) is $1,964 higher for in-state and $1,917 higher for out-of-state students than the national averages for 4-year public universities </li><li>Acceptance rate is 2.8 percentage points lower than the national average </li><li>Graduation rate is 17 percentage points lower than the national average </li><li>Student to faculty ratio is 18:1, which is higher than the national average </li><li>High number of TAs teaching classes </li></ul><h3 id="section---UIAtAGlance"> UI at a Glance</h3> <p>Among UI's numerous and diverse academic programs are some nationally ranked by <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>, including programs in education, engineering, Earth sciences, fine arts and rehabilitation counseling. Distinguished as having 'high research activity' by the Carnegie Foundation, UI receives about $100 million in research funding each year and encourages undergraduate research participation. </p> <p>With an acceptance rate of 61%, getting into UI is slightly more difficult than the average school, for which the acceptance rate is 63.8%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). UI has a strong retention rate. The NCES reported that about 80% of full-time freshmen in 2010 returned in 2011 to UI to continue their studies. </p> <p>As a UI student, you're more likely to be in somewhat larger classes taught by graduate teaching assistants than you might be at other schools. About 30% of the instructional staff consists of graduate teaching assistants, which is high. Furthermore, according to the NCES, the student-faculty ratio at UI of 18:1 exceeds the national average of 16:1. </p> <p>The NCES also reported that the graduation rate within four years was 23% for students who began in Fall 2005, which is significantly lower than the average four-year graduation rate of 40%; however, 56% of students entering in 2005 graduated within six years. According to the Project on Student Debt, UI graduates in 2011 accumulated less debt than average, though the total cost of UI attendance is somewhat higher than the national average provided by the College Board for 4-year public universities. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsFinancialAidAtUI"> Admissions &amp; Financial Aid at UI</h2> <p>You apply to UI using their online application. Along with the application, you're required to submit official transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores to the office of admissions. UI asks that you submit application materials a minimum of three weeks before the start of the term. The application includes a scholarship supplement, so you will be considered for merit-based scholarships. In 2012, the incoming freshman class had averages of a 3.8 GPA, a 23.2 composite ACT score and a composite SAT score of 1085. </p> <p>UI students have several financial aid options, including need- and merit-based scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. According to the NCES, about 82% of full-time freshmen during the 2010-2011 academic year received aid in the form of grants or scholarships, with an average award of $4,615. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> August 1****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> February 15***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $50**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> 61%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $19,100 for state residents; $31,620 for non-residents**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average 1st-Year Financial Aid Package (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> $13,554***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> 79%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $24,396*****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 5.1%**</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtUI"> Student Life at UI</h2> <p>UI encompasses more than 1,400 acres and has plenty of living options, from traditional residence halls to apartment complexes. You may opt for one of the eight living communities geared toward students with the same academic areas of focus. You may also explore options among 16 fraternities and 9 sororities. According to <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>, 14% of undergraduate men and 15% of undergraduate women are part of the Greek system. UI requires all first-year students to live on campus. </p> <p>As part of the UI student body, you may participate in various athletic, cultural, professional, and religious student organizations offered on campus. Also, you can cheer on the Vandals' 16 athletic teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. An 18-hole public golf course is also located on-campus, as well as a 65-acre arboretum and botanical garden. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Rural</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 9,586 undergraduates; 2,726 graduate students**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 53% to 47%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 91%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 63%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 1%**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 80% for full-time and 23% for part-time students **</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 34%****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 1*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> Over 200*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Noteworthy</i> </td><td> University library is the largest library in Idaho*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article Sources: *University of Idaho, **NCES College Navigator, ***The College Board, ****U.S. News and World Report, *****Project on Student Debt.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admission, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 444264, Moscow, ID 83844 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (208) 885-6326</li></ul>