University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs in Idaho.
The US Department of Education lists 14 colleges and universities on the Idaho state college scorecard. Some have a special focus and many are large institutions and nationally prominent schools. The leading institutions can be ranked in terms of size, degrees issued, and courses and degrees offered. The mix of private schools includes Brigham Young University-Idaho, Northwest Nazarene College, and the College of Idaho. The major public schools are Boise State College, University of Idaho, and Idaho State University.
Featured Online Programs
What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Idaho?
Idaho has a diverse economy with a burst of technological growth in recent years. The more popular degrees are nearly divided between business education and the humanities. Both business and the humanities fields lend themselves to immediate employment and to further education. Business occupations have risen to the top of the early college graduate salary rankings. One should remember that business studies are clearly not the only way to enter a business career. Many employers look for various types of excellence such as critical thinking, social concerns, and community engagement.
The below-listed items describe the most popular Idaho degrees based upon degrees conferred in recent years:
How Much Can You Make by Having a Degree?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveyed the national employment data and determined that there were sharp differences in median income based on education. In a upward trending line, median annual income rises with the level of education. Employees with high school diplomas lag behind those with college degrees. The associate degree increases annual income by about $6,000 per year. The bachelor’s degree adds about $17,500 per year. Over the course of a lifetime of earnings, the bachelor’s degree adds up to $1 million in income. The income increases are not tied only to employment. The knowledge and expertise gained by higher education can position people to enter entrepreneurship, including providing professional services.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Best Associate Degree Programs in Idaho
College of Eastern Idaho
Score: 89.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,390
- Out-of-State: $6,750
- Net Price: $8,825
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 50%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 2,333
- Undergrad Students: 2,333
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,900
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
College of Southern Idaho
Score: 82.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,560
- Out-of-State: $6,840
- Net Price: $7,337
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 8,096
- Undergrad Students: 8,096
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,700
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
North Idaho College
Score: 81.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,960
- Out-of-State: $8,736
- Net Price: $7,914
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 26%
- Total Enrollment: 4,296
- Undergrad Students: 4,296
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,200
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
College of Western Idaho
Score: 68.4
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,336
- Out-of-State: $7,344
- Net Price: $9,852
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 27%
- Total Enrollment: 9,920
- Undergrad Students: 9,920
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,800
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Top 5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Idaho
University of Idaho
Score: 80.88
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,816
- Out-of-State: $29,784
- Net Price: $14,954
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 11,507
- Undergrad Students: 8,809
- Graduate Students: 2,698
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Score: 76.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,656
- Out-of-State: $4,656
- Net Price: $7,899
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 43,023
- Undergrad Students: 43,023
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
The College of Idaho
Score: 75.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,030
- Out-of-State: $36,030
- Net Price: $24,075
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,082
- Undergrad Students: 1,052
- Graduate Students: 30
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Boise State University
Score: 73.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,782
- Out-of-State: $26,976
- Net Price: $17,724
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 26,115
- Undergrad Students: 22,922
- Graduate Students: 3,193
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
New Saint Andrews College
Score: 72.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,700
- Out-of-State: $15,700
- Net Price: $15,053
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 294
- Undergrad Students: 236
- Graduate Students: 58
- Grads Salary: $46,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Top 5 Best Master's Programs in Idaho
University of Idaho
Score: 83.75
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,272
- Out-of-State: $27,508
- Net Price: $14,954
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 11,507
- Undergrad Students: 8,809
- Graduate Students: 2,698
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
The College of Idaho
Score: 76.34
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,950
- Out-of-State: $22,950
- Net Price: $24,075
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 1,082
- Undergrad Students: 1,052
- Graduate Students: 30
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Idaho State University
Score: 75.96
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,904
- Out-of-State: $27,788
- Net Price: $12,425
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 12,301
- Undergrad Students: 10,017
- Graduate Students: 2,284
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
New Saint Andrews College
Score: 75.49
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,480
- Out-of-State: $10,480
- Net Price: $15,053
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 82%
- Total Enrollment: 294
- Undergrad Students: 236
- Graduate Students: 58
- Grads Salary: $46,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Boise State University
Score: 74.84
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,645
- Out-of-State: $25,764
- Net Price: $17,724
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 26,115
- Undergrad Students: 22,922
- Graduate Students: 3,193
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Scholarships for Idaho Students
The nation seems to recognize the need for the best educated and most highly trained workforce that we can have. Part of that recognition comes in the form of the federal and state grants and scholarships that make college education reachable for millions of Americans.
In the State of Idaho, the government provides some useful scholarship and grant opportunities that can go along with private and federal aid to help nearly every student find an affordable solution to college education. The state encourages residents to support needy students by offering a checkbox on the state income tax filing to donate part of the tax refund to the general college scholarship funds. Online education also qualifies for many types of financial aid when offered by an accredited institution.
IOSAL
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship for Adult Learners
Amount: $3,500 per year
Deadline: Three-weeks before entry
https://boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/idaho-opportunity-scholarship-for-adult-learners/
This program focuses on older students that have had an interruption in their college attendance. The student must not have achieved a bachelor’s degree and be in the process of pursuing their first bachelor’s degree or certificate. This is a need-based scholarship.
The State of Idaho supports adults that seek to return to an education path or start a journey towards educational enrichment. Eligible applicants must have previously earned at least 24 credit hours before a cease or interruption in enrollment. The applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher and must not have attended school for the 24 months prior to the application.
All applicants must be Idaho residents, and they must complete the FAFSA. After the award, students must maintain an acceptable academic performance of 2.7 GPA or higher. The award of $3,500 is for one year. Students may renew the award each year for a maximum of four years.
GIS
Gear UP Idaho Scholarship
Amount: The award amounts vary by the number of applicants and awards.
Deadline: March 1
https://boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/gear-up-idaho-scholarship-2/
Students must have completed a high school diploma or GED program or possess the high school equivalent. They must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applicants must be accepted or enrolled in an eligible participating institution within the territory of the State of Idaho. Awards can be renewed for up to four years or eight semesters.
Eligible institutions include any Idaho-based, public, and regionally-accredited institution under the general supervision and governance of the Idaho State Board of Education. Students may also participate through a private, non-profit, regionally-accredited institution. Participating Idaho institutions are North Idaho College, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, BYU Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University, Eastern Idaho Technical College, College of Idaho, University of Idaho, the College of Western Idaho, and Boise State University.