Head-to-head comparison
Idaho State University vs College of Southern Idaho: which has better ROI?
Option A Pocatello, ID
Idaho State University
- Net price / year
- $12,193
- Earnings, 10 years
- $45,608
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Twin Falls, ID
College of Southern Idaho
- Net price / year
- $6,095
- Earnings, 10 years
- $40,916
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Idaho State University comes closer — median earnings $45,608 against a $48,772 total, vs $40,916 at College of Southern Idaho. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Idaho State University | College of Southern Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,193 | $6,095 |
| Total net cost | $48,772 | $12,190 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,608 | $40,916 |
| Median debt | $20,039 | $8,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$103,812 | -$161,070 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Idaho State University or College of Southern Idaho?
College of Southern Idaho, at $6,095 a year after aid versus $12,193 — a gap of $6,098 a year, or $36,582 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Idaho State University or College of Southern Idaho graduates earn more?
Idaho State University graduates report a median $45,608 ten years after entry, $4,692 more than the $40,916 at College of Southern Idaho. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Idaho State University or College of Southern Idaho?
College of Southern Idaho: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $20,039 at Idaho State University, a difference of $12,039. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
39% of students finish at Idaho State University, against 33% at College of Southern Idaho. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.