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The Best Public Colleges in Idaho

Here are the top public colleges that in Idaho. The school list below shows tuition after financial aid, and with the benefit of in-state tuition. Smaller schools are excluded from our list.

  1. Boise State University

    Boise State University is a four-year, medium full-time , selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Boise, ID. It has an enrollment of 17,075 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 83.13%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,107. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,615
    • City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,126
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,022
    • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $76,208
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
    • Educational/Instructional Media Design. (Master’s Degree) – $63,600
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,772
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $34,704
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,779
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,364
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $37,856
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $55,770
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,385
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $75,047
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,025
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,508
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Master’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $36,668
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $25,774
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,558
    • Applied Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,352
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,348
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,822
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Master’s Degree) – $40,461
    • Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,770
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,528
    • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $41,937
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,755
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $44,399
    • Social Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,042
    • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,585
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,909
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,933
    • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,022
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $15,922
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,240
    • Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,188
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,621
    • Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,490
    • Business/Commerce, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,422
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,473
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $74,786
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,102
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $59,417
    • Business/Managerial Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,436
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,319
    • International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,330
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,878
    • Construction Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,274
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,461

    Boise State University School Spirit

    Boise State University has a strong school spirit, with a lively and engaged student community. The university’s athletic teams, known as the Broncos, are particularly popular, and the famous blue turf at their football stadium is a source of pride for many students and fans. The university also offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, events, and traditions that foster a sense of community and school spirit, such as homecoming events, pep rallies, and the Boise State Yell Squad. Overall, Boise State University is known for its vibrant campus life and strong culture of school spirit.

    Learn more about Boise State University

  2. Idaho State University

    Idaho State University is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Pocatello, ID. It has an enrollment of 6,842 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $17,410. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. (Associate’s Degree) – $36,134
    • Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,764
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $50,856
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $58,221
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $76,460
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
    • Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. (Associate’s Degree) – $51,607
    • Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. (Associate’s Degree) – $63,005
    • Engineering-Related Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,240
    • Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. (Associate’s Degree) – $58,943
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • American Sign Language. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,761
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $16,478
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,484
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,580
    • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,019
    • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,025
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,126
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Doctoral Degree) – $52,107
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Associate’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,687
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $31,133
    • Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. (Associate’s Degree) – $38,829
    • Precision Metal Working. (Associate’s Degree) – $46,673
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $14,318
    • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,192
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $56,641
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $77,213
    • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,729
    • Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Associate’s Degree) – $26,896
    • Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,141
    • Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. (Associate’s Degree) – $31,495
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $103,424
    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,109
    • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $41,789
    • Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (First Professional Degree) – $124,909
    • Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $48,041
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $71,015
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $71,202
    • Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,305
    • Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. (Associate’s Degree) – $16,169
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $58,303
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,042
    • Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $39,009
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,548
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $61,516
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $71,957
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $49,312
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,141
    • Human Resources Management and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,774
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,937
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194

    Idaho State University School Spirit

    Idaho State University has a strong school spirit. The university has a dedicated group of fans and a variety of sports teams that compete at the NCAA Division I level, including football, basketball, and volleyball. The university also hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year that draw large crowds, including homecoming and other holiday celebrations, theatre productions, concerts, and more. Additionally, the campus has a number of student organizations and clubs that promote school spirit and encourage student involvement in university life.

    Learn more about Idaho State University

  3. Lewis-Clark State College

    Lewis-Clark State College is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Lewiston, ID. It has an enrollment of 2,441 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 100.00%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $12,962. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,687
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,141
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,745
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
    • Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. (Associate’s Degree) – $33,281
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Associate’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,131
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,896
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,170

    Lewis-Clark State College School Spirit

    Lewis-Clark State College is known for its strong school spirit. Students often participate in various college activities and events throughout the year, such as sporting events, homecoming celebrations, and other campus-wide events. Athletics, in particular, are a major part of campus life, with the college’s sports teams often drawing large crowds of supporters. Additionally, students are heavily involved in extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations, which further contribute to the overall school spirit. The college also takes pride in its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which helps to foster a sense of community and belonging among students.

    Learn more about Lewis-Clark State College

  4. University of Idaho

    University of Idaho is a four-year, full-time, selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Moscow, ID. It has an enrollment of 6,861 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 81.38%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $12,019. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1119.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 24.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,007
    • Agricultural Public Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
    • Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,753
    • Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Master’s Degree) – $51,482
    • Natural Resources Management and Policy. (Master’s Degree) – $41,565
    • Forestry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,748
    • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,343
    • Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $46,321
    • Landscape Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $43,798
    • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,650
    • Graphic Communications. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,576
    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $36,674
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $59,640
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,963
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $48,667
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,017
    • Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,499
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,860
    • Civil Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $68,499
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,101
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $86,424
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,982
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,228
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,391
    • Apparel and Textiles. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Law. (First Professional Degree) – $53,131
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,933
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Master’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,327
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,295
    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,055
    • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Applied Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,933
    • Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,715
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,822
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,298
    • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
    • International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,245
    • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $15,552
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,455
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,439
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $41,193
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $46,087
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,439
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $84,653
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,153
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $57,860
    • Business/Managerial Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Human Resources Management and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,087
    • Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,270
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685

    University of Idaho School Spirit

    The University of Idaho is known for having a strong school spirit. Students at the university take part in many traditions that help to create a sense of community and pride on campus. One of the most popular traditions at the University of Idaho is the homecoming celebration, where students and alumni come together to celebrate their school. The university also has a dedicated fan base for their sports teams, and their sporting events tend to draw a large crowd. Additionally, the university has a number of student organizations and clubs that help to foster a strong sense of community and belonging among students. All of these factors contribute to the strong school spirit at the University of Idaho.

    Learn more about University of Idaho