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Moscow Downtown Historic DistrictMoscow Downtown Historic District · Photo: Candy29c · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Moscow

Moscow is a college town: 34 of every 100 residents are students

The University of Idaho (10,452 students on campus) and New Saint Andrews College (326) are inside the city. Across Idaho, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town34% of residents are studentsUniversity of Idaho

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Moscow. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
33,138 students on campus
Nearest college
0.1 mi
New Saint Andrews College
Residents in college
34%
Above ID (6%)
Nearest community college
66 mi
North Idaho College · $3,396 tuition
Nearest public university
0.7 mi
University of Idaho · $9,084 in-state
Students on campus in Moscow
10,778
next to 26,721 residents

What stands out about college in Moscow

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town34 of every 100 Moscow residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Idaho.A university in MoscowThe University of Idaho has 10,452 students on campus in Moscow, 57% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at University of IdahoLiving in Idaho, the University of Idaho charges $9,084 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $28,320. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 66 miles awayNorth Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene: tuition and fees $3,396 a year for Idaho residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Moscow

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

34 of every 100 Moscow residents are in college (ID: 6).

10,778students on campus at Moscow’s 2 colleges, next to 26,721 residents (dorm students count as residents)
5,229college students live in Moscow households rather than dorms
25.7median age · ID 37.3
51%of residents are men · ID 50% (±1 points)
60%of homes rented · ID 28%
$927median rent · 25% below the state
Cost of living$927/mo median rentC−SafetyCrime reported to the FBIB+HealthCDC estimatesA−Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundC−HandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Moscow’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income C−

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 24.9% of Moscow residents are below the poverty line, 14.0% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 5 points either way). 59% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living C−

The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (34% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.

Health A−

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Moscow’s median age is 25.7 (Idaho 37.3), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety B+

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Moscow

One private college within 0.1 miles, and two public colleges within 7.5 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miWashington StateUniversity of IdahoNew Saint Andrews CollegeMoscow
University or collegeCommunity college
New Saint Andrews CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 326 on campus · In Moscow84%admitted74%graduateUniversity of IdahoUniversity or college · Public · 10,452 on campus · In Moscow76%admitted$15knet price57%graduate$55kearningsWashington State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 22,360 on campus · 7.5 mi · Pullman, WA87%admitted$15knet price60%graduate$69kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Moscow’s median household income ($57,022) falls.

Washington State University7.5 mi · Pullman, WA · sticker $27,648$11,519a year
University of IdahoIn Moscow · sticker $23,738$13,374a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Moscow: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of IdahoWashington State
Washington State University60% graduate$69k earnings$20k typical debt
University of Idaho57% graduate$55k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Moscow

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Moscow’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 18%Engineering 9%Social sciences 8%Agriculture 7%Psychology 6%Natural resources 6%Everything else 47%

Biggest programs

Psychology, GeneralUniversity of Idaho · 133 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsUniversity of Idaho · 75 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
MarketingUniversity of Idaho · 65 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Animal SciencesUniversity of Idaho · 56 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Idaho · 56 graduates a year
$86k4 yrs out
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationUniversity of Idaho · 42 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesUniversity of Idaho · 40 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of Idaho · 40 graduates a year
$82k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Moscow

Is Moscow a college town?

Yes. 34 of every 100 Moscow residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Idaho. The University of Idaho has 10,452 students on campus, next to 26,721 residents.

What colleges are in Moscow?

The University of Idaho and New Saint Andrews College are inside the city. North Idaho College is 66 miles away in Coeur d'Alene.

Why is Moscow’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 24.9% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 14.0% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 5 points).

What is the closest community college to Moscow, and what does it cost?

North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, 66 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,396 a year for Idaho residents; the federal net price, $10,575, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into the University of Idaho?

The University of Idaho admitted 76% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year; the middle half of admitted students scored 990–1,230 on the SAT.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Moscow. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →