Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho
- 11
- Schools
- $47,459
- Avg. Earnings
- 47%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,136
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,542
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $40,081 at the low end to $54,670 at the top. That 1.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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College of Southern Idaho offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $40,916 against $6,095 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is College of Southern Idaho, at $6,095 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Northwest Nazarene University graduates 65% of its students, well above the 47% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor College of Southern Idaho: graduates owe only 0.20× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to College of Southern Idaho ($40,916 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Idaho ($54,670). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. College of Southern Idaho ($6,095/yr) and Northwest Nazarene University ($29,580/yr) produce graduates earning $40,916 and $51,719 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $23,485 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, College of Southern Idaho outperforms University of Idaho: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with College of Southern Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $48K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 College of Southern Idaho #1 overall | $40,916 ▼ -14% vs avg | $6,095 | 34% | 81 |
| 2 Brigham Young University-Idaho #2 overall | $53,406 ▲ +13% vs avg | $8,221 | 55% | 80 |
| 3 College of Eastern Idaho #3 overall | $42,057 ▼ -11% vs avg | $8,778 | 37% | 74 |
| $40,081 ▼ -16% vs avg | $10,575 | 37% | 73 | |
| $45,608 ▼ -4% vs avg | $12,193 | 39% | 70 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho
This analysis ranks 11 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $47,459 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 47% and an average net price of $14,136.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: College of Southern Idaho — Net Price: $6,095 | Graduation Rate: 34%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Northwest Nazarene University — 65% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Idaho — Median alumni earnings: $54,670
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$47,237
Median earnings (10yr)
43%
Median graduation rate
$12,193
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
The median graduation rate across these 11 schools is 43%. Median graduate earnings reach $47,237 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $12,193 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $18,500. Some 25% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $12,193 and graduates earn a median of $47,237. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
College of Southern Idaho lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $40,916 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,095 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Brigham Young University-Idaho lands at #2 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (67/100). Graduates earn a median $53,406 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,221 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
College of Eastern Idaho lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,057 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,778 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
North Idaho College lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,081 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,575 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Idaho State University lands at #5 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $45,608 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,193 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
College of Western Idaho lands at #6 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Net price runs $8,500 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Idaho lands at #7 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,670 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,831 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Lewis-Clark State College lands at #8 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $46,001 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,635 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
The College of Idaho lands at #9 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $48,473 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,481 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Boise State University lands at #10 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,658 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,610 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Northwest Nazarene University lands at #11 with a 39/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $51,719 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,580 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 11 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering higher education in Idaho, affordability is a key factor for many students and families. This list highlights colleges in the state that offer the lowest net prices, making them accessible options for those looking to minimize their financial burden while pursuing a degree.
What sets these institutions apart are the important outcomes associated with their programs, such as post-graduate earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. As you review the list below, keep in mind that the average earnings across these schools is $47,459, with an average graduation rate of 47%. Understanding these metrics can help you determine which school may offer the best return on investment for your education.
For example, the College of Southern Idaho stands out with a net price of just $6,095, while maintaining an earnings potential of $40,916. In contrast, Brigham Young University-Idaho has a higher net price at $8,221 but offers a significantly better graduation rate at 55%. These figures illustrate the trade-offs between costs and outcomes, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect from your college experience in Idaho.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 9 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Lewis-Clark State College leads the group at 2.1%, with The College of Idaho (1.9%) and North Idaho College (1.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 8.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. North Idaho College enrolls the most, at 14.1%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 19% across the list, peaking at 34.6% at The College of Idaho.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.28, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Northwest Nazarene University is highest at 1.59.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Looking closely at the data, we see that Brigham Young University-Idaho, while more expensive at a net price of $8,221, offers a notable graduation rate of 55%. In contrast, North Idaho College has a lower net price of $10,575 but only graduates 37% of its students. This difference in outcomes suggests that investing a bit more in tuition could lead to better graduation outcomes and, ultimately, higher earnings.
As you sift through these schools, consider what matters most to you beyond costs. Think about location, program offerings, and campus culture. For example, if you prioritize a more affordable option, College of Southern Idaho may be appealing, but if graduation rates are crucial to you, BYU-Idaho might be worth the extra investment. Weigh these factors against your financial situation to find the best fit.
Ultimately, the data shows that choosing the right college can significantly impact your financial future. A well-considered decision could lead to stable earnings and career success. Take the time to evaluate each option carefully — one choice can set the stage for your life ahead.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho ranking? +
College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, ID ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $40,916 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 34% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Idaho posts the highest median earnings on this list: $54,670 ten years after enrollment, well above the $47,459 average across the 10 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, College of Southern Idaho leads: graduates earn a median $40,916 against net price of about $6,095 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Northwest Nazarene University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 65%, compared with a 47% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,136 a year across the 11 ranked schools with cost data. College of Southern Idaho is among the most affordable at roughly $6,095. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 11 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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