State rankings
Best colleges in Idaho, ranked by ROI
We rank all 14 Idaho institutions we profile by payback years — total net cost divided by earnings above the $48,360 high-school baseline. The state's median net price is $17,558/yr (above the $16,902 national median), and its graduates earn a median $43,833 ten years out (above the $43,549 national median). Brigham Young University-Idaho leads, clearing its cost in 6.5 years. (Scorecard, 2026.)
$17,558
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$43,833
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
26.2 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
14
Colleges ranked
degreedividend.com
| # | College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University-Idaho | $8,221 | $53,406 | 6.5 yrs |
| 2 | University of Idaho | $14,831 | $54,670 | 9.4 yrs |
| 3 | Boise State University | $21,610 | $51,658 | 26.2 yrs |
| 4 | Northwest Nazarene University | $29,580 | $51,719 | 35.2 yrs |
| 5 | The College of Idaho | $19,481 | $48,473 | 689.6 yrs |
| 6 | Idaho State University | $12,193 | $45,608 | no payback |
| 7 | Lewis-Clark State College | $15,635 | $46,001 | no payback |
| 8 | College of Eastern Idaho | $8,778 | $42,057 | no payback |
| 9 | College of Southern Idaho | $6,095 | $40,916 | no payback |
| 10 | North Idaho College | $10,575 | $40,081 | no payback |
| 11 | Provo College-Idaho Falls Campus | $33,576 | $39,645 | no payback |
| 12 | Eagle Gate College-Boise Campus | $30,241 | $37,518 | no payback |
| 13 | Paul Mitchell the School-Rexburg | $21,759 | $26,774 | no payback |
| 14 | Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology | $20,033 | $26,323 | no payback |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · ranking and payback are our math. Payback uses institution-wide earnings; a specific major can rank very differently.
Colleges in Idaho: frequently asked questions
Which college has the best ROI in Idaho?
Brigham Young University-Idaho. It charges $8,221/yr after aid and its graduates earn a median $53,406 ten years out, clearing the cost in about 6.5 years — the fastest payback of the 14 Idaho colleges we track.
How much does college cost in Idaho?
The median net price across Idaho colleges is $17,558/yr after grants and scholarships — above the $16,902 national median. That is the actual price the typical aided student pays, not the published sticker.
What do Idaho college graduates earn?
A median $43,833 ten years after entry (Scorecard), above the $43,549 national median. Earnings vary widely by school and major — see each college's profile for its own figure.
How many Idaho colleges pay for themselves?
5 of the 14 Idaho colleges we track clear their cost on institution-wide earnings above the high-school baseline. The rest need a high-ROI major to pay off — the school average alone does not.