North Idaho College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho- Graduation Rate
- 37% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,081 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $10,575 B
- 38% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,619
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho.
Every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $920,704.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 37% — 36% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $22.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About North Idaho College
North Idaho College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 2,619
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose North Idaho College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,575 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,081 ten years after enrolling — 2% below the typical college, against $9,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 46% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.88 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
North Idaho College serves a student population of 2,619, with a notably low net price of $10,575 for in-state students. This affordability makes it an attractive option for those looking to pursue higher education without accruing significant debt. The median debt for graduates stands at $9,000, providing a manageable financial path for many.
The outcomes for graduates show that, on average, they earn $40,081 ten years after enrolling. While the graduation rate is 37%, this figure highlights the challenges some students face in completing their degrees. The data from Opportunity Insights suggests that economic mobility for graduates may vary, but the college does support a diverse range of programs in fields like Humanities, Business, Health Professions, and Criminal Justice, which can lead to viable job opportunities.
Students who thrive at North Idaho College are often those who appreciate a practical and affordable education. With a Pell Grant rate of 24%, the institution caters to a significant number of low-income students. The supportive environment and focus on essential skills in various industries help graduates find their footing in the job market.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective North Idaho College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Idaho College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, North Idaho College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 45%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,954
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Idaho College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Idaho College is $8,736, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,575. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,775 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $3,396
- Out-of-State
- $8,736
- Avg Net Price
- $10,575
- Median Debt
- $9,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 16%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,775
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,741
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,577
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,845
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is North Idaho College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Idaho College report median earnings of $40,081, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,391
- 8 Years
- $35,585
- 10 Years
- $40,081
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (128)
- 19%
- 100% (128)
- 19%
- 100% (128)
- 19%
- 100% (128)
- 19%
How North Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is North Idaho College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, North Idaho College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,575/year ($42,300 total). Graduates earn $40,081 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $963,004 in total earnings — a net gain of $920,704 (22.8× your investment). The median debt is $9,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 37% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $42,300
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $963,004
- Net Return
- $920,704
- ROI Multiple
- 22.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,575
- Median Debt
- $9,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does North Idaho College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Idaho College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.55%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $59,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.55%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $59,600
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,533,319
- Investment Income
- $-190,899
Top Programs
The fields North Idaho College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 58%
- Health Professions 12%
- Business & Marketing 8%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
- Precision Production 1%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for North Idaho College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into North Idaho College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, North Idaho College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend North Idaho College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at North Idaho College is $8,736, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,575. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,775 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,000 in federal student loans.
Is North Idaho College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of North Idaho College report median earnings of $40,081, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does North Idaho College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
North Idaho College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.55%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $59,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is North Idaho College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at North Idaho College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.88, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to North Idaho College.
- Mohawk Valley Community CollegeUtica, NY · Close peer36% grad $39,850 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland CampusVineland, NJ · Close peer33% grad $41,751 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lemoore CollegeLemoore, CA · Close peer44% grad $40,292 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Finger Lakes Community CollegeCanandaigua, NY · Close peer29% grad $40,054 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY AdirondackQueensbury, NY · Close peer33% grad $41,267 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Casper CollegeCasper, WY · Close peer41% grad $40,935 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is North Idaho College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at North Idaho College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.88, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note