Colleges in Idaho

Why go to College in Idaho?

Population

With a population of only 1.6 million over approximately 83,500 square miles, Idaho has one of the lowest population densities in the country. Even so, Idaho has the sixth fastest-growing population in the nation.

Climate

Idaho has both coastal areas, with weather patterns migrating in from the Pacific, and plains areas, with a semi-arid climate. The winter months typically see freezing temperatures, and the summers can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Number of Higher Learning Institutions

Idaho has 33 higher education institutions, including four universities, four community colleges, and five religiously affiliated institutions. The oldest universities in the state are the University of Idaho in Moscow (founded in 1889) and Idaho State University in Pocatello (founded 1901).

Sporting Events

The Boise Hawks is a minor league baseball team and the farm team of the Colorado Rockies. The Idaho Steelheads, a minor league hockey team, is also based in Idaho’s capital city.

Nightlife

Like other states in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho is a center for craft brewing. Craft breweries exist in large and small cities, each brewery offering a unique taste of Idaho. The state’s 30 casinos are also popular destinations.

Whether in Boise, Pocatello, Lewiston, or online, Idaho colleges offer a wide array of certifications and two- and four-year degrees. The state is known for its agriculture, food processing, lumber, and electronics manufacturing industries. For those attending classes in state, Idaho’s outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, camping, and climbing, as well as winter activities such as skiing and snowmobiling. Most importantly, online schools in Idaho prioritize affordable education.

What Options are Available for Colleges in Idaho?

Popular Degree Programs in Idaho

Given its location in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho is perfectly situated for nature enthusiasts and adventure tourism. With its rising population, Idaho is a growing center of business. As such, the natural resources and business management fields rank among the most popular majors in the state.

• Natural resources

  Located in one of the most verdant areas of the country, the natural resources field is an ideal focus for students in Idaho. Students focus on areas such as wildlife resources, fire ecology and management, and forestry and gain skills necessary to positively impact the environment.

• Management

  Management degrees train future business leaders to negotiate and organize people and resources. Managers use strong communication skills, strategic planning, and business acumen to orchestrate complex situations and increase productivity.

Best Online Colleges in Idaho for 2019

Online schools in Idaho offer flexible curricula to help students pursue education on their time. The following is a list of the best online colleges in Idaho. This resource will help you find the best online school to meet your academic and professional needs.

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1	Northwest Nazarene University Nampa, ID		ADMISSIONS RATE 56% GRADUATION RATE 49% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 25% RETENTION RATE 77% DEFAULT RATE 5% NNU is a private Christian institution that serves approximately 2,000 full-time students through distance learning and on-campus study. NNU Online offers bachelor's degrees in business administration, liberal studies, nursing, and Christian ministry. NNU is one of the top online schools in Idaho and offers an online BS in business administration that is organized in a cohort model and can be completed in just 16 months. Students must have at least 45-60 credits to enroll in these programs. There is also a BA in Christian ministry that is offered in an accelerated online format that can be completed in as few as 36 months. Students can transfer credits from accredited institutions. Online programs at NNU fulfill the Church of the Nazarene ordination requirements. NNU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.	Visit Site
2	Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID		ADMISSIONS RATE 100% GRADUATION RATE 61% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 58% RETENTION RATE 68% DEFAULT RATE 3% BYU is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and offers educational programs that seek to develop student scholarship, leadership, and spiritual formation. BYU is one of the best online colleges in Idaho and serves 33,000 distance learners each year. The school offers degrees on a variety of topics, such as applied management, business management, healthcare administration, and an RN-to-BSN program. The school offers a university studies bachelor's degree that allows students to design a curriculum that combines minors, concentrations, and career clusters. Applicants must complete PathwayConnect with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or have earned at least 15 credits at a school operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.	Visit Site
3	Boise State University Boise, ID		ADMISSIONS RATE 80% GRADUATION RATE 39% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 10% RETENTION RATE 76% DEFAULT RATE 10% Boise State prides itself as an institution that creates the next generation of leaders and innovators of the American West. This university is one of the best online colleges in Idaho thanks to its innovative and affordable distance learning programs that are offered through the school's eCampus. Boise State offers bachelor's degrees on topics like applied science, multidisciplinary studies, management, nursing, imaging sciences, and respiratory care. There is also a fully online degree completion program that is available for respiratory care professionals. The BS in respiratory care provides the coursework, skill training, and opportunities for professional networking necessary for career advancement in this field. The school also offers a degree completion BS in imaging sciences for professionals in the field who would like to earn a degree online while also working part- or full-time. Boise State is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.	Visit Site
4	Lewis-Clark State College Lewiston, ID		ADMISSIONS RATE 99% GRADUATION RATE 30% ONLINE ENROLLMENT 14% RETENTION RATE 57% DEFAULT RATE 14% LCSC offers career and technical degrees both online and on-campus in Lewiston, Idaho. The school offers bachelor's degrees on a variety of topics, including business administration, early childhood development, general business, interdisciplinary studies, and nursing and health sciences. One of these programs, the BAS in early childhood development, is ideal for students who have already earned an associate degree in ECE and want to receive the academic training and hands-on experience necessary to work with young children. Students in this program can choose one of the following specializations: cognitive, social and emotional, and language and literacy development. LCSC is one of the top online schools in Idaho in part because of its small class sizes, with a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio for academics programs and an 8-to-1 ratio for career and technical programs. LCSC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.	Visit Site

Best Online Community Colleges in Idaho for 2019

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1	College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, ID		GRADUATION RATE 20%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 12%	RETENTION RATE 57%	DEFAULT RATE 21%	The College of Southern Idaho is located in Twin Falls. CSI offers various online associate degrees in business, education, health sciences, liberal arts, library and information science, and criminal justice. Several professional certificate programs also are offered, making CSI one of the top online community colleges in Idaho. Tuition is based on the student's place of residence and depends on whether they live in the Idaho counties considered in district, in state, or out of state. Online and on-campus tuition is the same. CSI's online programs use Blackboard to distribute course materials. Classes are taught asynchronously, so students may participate when it is convenient for them. Class discussions take place in threaded forums, where students can post their thoughts and ideas on the topic within a given time frame. CSI library resources, which includes assistance from the reference librarian, are available to online students.	Visit Site
2	College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID		GRADUATION RATE 17%	ONLINE ENROLLMENT 13%	RETENTION RATE 49%	DEFAULT RATE 21%	Based in Nampa, CWI has earned a high rank among online community colleges in Idaho. The school offers associate degrees in business, criminal justice, English, geography, history, liberal arts, philosophy, and political science, each of which can be completed entirely online. CWI's online resources include tutoring, a writing center that offers email consultations, and the library, which has many research tools. Tuition prices are based on the county where the student lives and whether it is in or out of CWI's district. The price per credit is the same for in-person and online classes. Online course materials are handled through Blackboard, where students can communicate with professors and participate in class activities using threaded discussion forums.	Visit Site

Education Trends in Idaho

Full-time students in Idaho pay about $2,000 less per year than the national average. Additionally, the state allocates more tax funding to higher education than the national average. Even so, fewer Idaho residents benefit from higher education; though more locals hold associate degrees than the national average, Idaho falls behind on bachelor’s and graduate-level degrees.

Paying for College in Idaho

The financial burden of earning a certification or degree is a vital factor when choosing a program. In-state tuition varies by specific location, and there is a wide range of potential fees. Costs also vary based on whether the program is in-person, hybrid, or online college in Idaho. Idaho’s public four-year programs cost less than the national average. However, the state’s two-year programs cost slightly more.

Tuition Prices

Tuition is one of the most significant costs for a student. The table below compares Idaho’s average tuition with national prices. In addition to tuition, students pay for rent, transportation, and supplies such as books, software, and computers.

Financial Aid

Every student, online or on-campus, should take advantage of public and private financial aid opportunities. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to learn which government resources you are eligible for. FAFSA is the gateway to subsidized and unsubsidized loans, work-study opportunities, and some forms of private support. Always choose subsidized loans first because they do not accrue interest while you are enrolled in school. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as the award is received. Work-study positions are also valuable resources within academic departments, student housing, athletic departments, and community outreach programs.

Cost of Living by Region

Cost of living varies dramatically by region. Beyond tuition, housing tops the list of considerations, but other factors include transportation, food, and educational supplies. The following table details housing costs in cities both in and outside Idaho. Consider the cost of living when comparing on-campus and online learning options. These early decisions will impact the quality of your living environment during school and may affect your earning potential after graduation.

Cost for Online Programs in Idaho

Online students may qualify for government and private funding. Online colleges in Idaho charge tuition rates similar to on-campus rates; however, online students can save money on certain fees, along with housing and transportation costs. For students with full-time positions or families, pursuing distance learning at online colleges in Idaho makes managing professional, personal, and academic responsibilities easier.

Scholarships for Idaho College Students

Anne Veseth Memorial Scholarship

$1,000; for graduating high school seniors and current undergraduates; must attend or plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college in Idaho, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, and major in fire ecology or auto mechanics or be an active wildland firefighter.

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Kevin Whittier Memorial Scholarships

$2,000; must be a graduate of an Idaho public or private high school who is attending or planning to attend an accredited college or technical school to pursue a degree in an engineering field; must demonstrate academic and community achievement.

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Henry and Joyce W. Sumid Scholarship

$5,000; for students pursuing careers in theater arts; must major in the performing arts ( theater, dance, playwriting, etc.), come from the western United States, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

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Pride Foundation Scholarship

$1,000–12,000; must reside in the Pacific Northwest, including Idaho, for at least three months, show potential for leadership in the LGBTQ community, and demonstrate significant financial need.

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Donna Wainwright Memorial Respiratory Scholarship

$500; must be enrolled in an accredited certified respiratory therapist or registered respiratory therapist program in Idaho, have at least a 3.0 GPA, be a member of the American Association for Respiratory Care, and have resided in Idaho for at least 12 months.

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Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?

Most scholarships can be used for on-campus or online colleges in Idaho. When applying for assistance, mention the type of school you plan to attend (in-person, online, or hybrid) and verify that the funding applies. Always read scholarship and grant requirements carefully to ensure you are applying for the best resources to help you meet your academic goals.

Employment Outlook in Idaho

Idaho is ranked sixth in the nation for favorable unemployment rates—just under 3%. However, Idaho’s mean annual wage is almost $8,000 less than the national average. This is due in part to the state’s lower cost of living, but it is also the result of fewer higher degrees being conferred across the state. Some well-paying and popular positions in Idaho include general and operations manager, registered nurse, heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver, and sales representative.

Top Employers and Industries in Idaho

State Exchange Programs for Idaho College Students

State-to-state exchange programs, such as the Western Undergraduate Exchange, offer students the opportunity to pursue higher education outside their home state, with tuition rates reduced by up to 150%. Interested students should apply as soon as possible; most exchange programs accept applications on a rolling basis, and participating schools limit the number of exchange enrollees.

Accreditation for Colleges in Idaho

Accreditation is extremely important when choosing a higher education institution. The reputation and quality of your chosen school will affect your earning potential after graduation, and regional or national accreditation guarantees recognition of your degree across states and territories. State-to-state exchange programs, for example, are only available for accredited institutions, which ensures the caliber of the degree programs. All six U.S. regional accreditation boards are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Traditionally, accreditation of a college or university also applies to the school’s online programs. The Idaho State Board of Education accredits all Idaho universities and colleges, both public and private, and many associate degree programs. Additionally, online colleges in Idaho receive accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an independent, nonprofit regional accreditation body that is recognized by the National Board of Education. Research potential schools’ credentials to ensure you receive the best education possible.