Last Updated on December 14, 2022
Idaho is home to some of the country’s best colleges, and no matter if you’re a budding scientist, an avid outdoor enthusiast or want to learn new skills as a trades person, Idaho has the college for you. Based on numerous campus visits, we’ve used our expertise to compile a list of the best way to help pinpoint the right one for you.
Idaho offers some of the best colleges in the country. Whether you’re looking for quality education, community service opportunities, or great athletic programs, look no further than this list of the best colleges in Idaho. Idaho has a college for everyone, no matter what their academic interests may be. Idaho State University in Pocatello offers a variety of academic programs and classes for individuals who want to earn an associate’s degree, as well as a great deal of resources for students who want to start working on their MBA or doctoral program.
Are you interested in obtaining valuable information on best colleges in Utah, University of Idaho, best colleges in Montana, best colleges in Idaho for computer engineering, best private colleges in Idaho, and so on. Be sure to visit our catalog for more information on related topics.
university of idaho ranking
The University of Idaho is a public research university located in the city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state. It is the flagship campus of the University of Idaho system, and its sister college in Boise, Boise State University, also part of the state system, ranks second among universities in Idaho with over 24,000 students. Ranked by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Affordable Schools and U.S. News & World Report as America’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for 2010, UI has earned its reputation as a leader in education. The main campus is situated on 1,065 acres (4.21 km2) near the Snake River on the Palouse, just north of Boise and south of Moscow on State Highway 75 and 85.
colleges in boise idaho
The state of Idaho is working hard to support affordable college education. The University of Idaho offers more than $25 million in college scholarships every year — and it’s just one of 20 accredited colleges and universities within state borders. Public colleges and universities in Idaho are more affordable on average than other states’ public schools, and Idaho’s private secular and Christian schools have competitive rates too.
Idaho has over 15 colleges and universities within its boundaries, and many are nationally ranked. They offer a wide variety of majors, degrees and courses, as well as unique cultural experiences to residents and students. Check out some of the best colleges in Idaho below.
- Southern New Hampshire UniversityE
- One of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation and a network of support.
- Dedicated to giving you the support you need to pursue your degree.
- Choose from over 200 affordable programs.
- Private. Nonprofit. Accredited
- Liberty University
- The largest private, nonprofit university in the nation.
- Known for its high student satisfaction and retention rates.
- Students and professors hold each other to high standards and genuinely care about each other’s well-being.
- Purdue University Global
- Fully personalized, flexible online learning tailored to the needs of working adults
- A public, nonprofit institution that’s part of the prestigious Purdue University system
- Highly accessible, world-class education, with 180 online programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels
- Comprehensive career counseling services before and after graduation
Located in Rexburg, Idaho, Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) is a private university that focuses on undergraduate education. Founded in 1888 as Ricks College, BYU-Idaho became a university in 2001. Like its sister schools in Hawai’i and Utah, BYU-Idaho is run by the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The University offers a liberal arts education that includes the sciences, engineering, agriculture, management, and performing arts. And it operates under a three-semester system that is referred to as “tracks.”
Features
- Business
- Health Professions
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Education
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Notables
Almost 99 percent of students are members of the LDS Church. All students are required to adhere to an honor code that mandates rules regarding chastity, dress, grooming, drugs and alcohol in addition to academic honesty. And a significant number of students will take a break from their study (18 months for women, 24 months for men) to serve as volunteer missionaries worldwide.
Overview
Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is one of eight US liberal arts colleges affiliated with the Evangelical Christian Church of the Nazarene. Located in Nampa, Idaho, the University draws its students from the Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Alaska, and parts of Nevada and Utah. Founded as an elementary school in 1913, NNU was accredited as a junior college in 1931, as a four-year college in 1937 and in the mid-sixties Master’s programs were added. The name was changed from Northwest Nazarene College to Northwest Nazarene University in 1999. NNU currently offers 42 undergraduate majors and 11 master’s programs.
Features
The university serves over 1,300 undergraduate students, 700 studying for their master’s and over 6,000 taking courses online or for Continuing Education. The on-campus student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1 and popular undergraduate majors include:
- Business
- Education
- Health Professions
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Notables
On its 90-acre, park-like campus, NNU has over 40 clubs and organizations that include interests in ministry, service, recreation, academics, and athletics. Off-campus study possibilities include an Honors Program in Oxford, England; the Los Angeles Film Studies Center; a Contemporary Music Program; and a Latin-American Studies Program. Students also receive a $10 printing allowance per semester, with access to printing, scanning and copying on multi-function machines located throughout the campus.
Overview
Established in 1889 the University of Idaho (UI) was the state’s only university until 1963. As a flagship, land-grant and primary research university, UI has a 1,585-acre campus on the southwest side of north central Idaho college town of Moscow. The university offers 142-degree programs, that range from accountancy to wildlife resources and include bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and specialists’ degrees. UI is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has awarded over 118,500 degrees. The University also spends $100 million annually on research.
Features
Spread across 10 colleges UI offers 85 undergraduate, 62 masters and 31 doctoral programs. With over 11,000 students, of which over 9,000 are undergraduates, the University of Idaho has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1. The most popular undergraduate majors are
- Business
- Engineering
- Education
- Agriculture
- Social Sciences
Notables
Over half of the University of Idaho’s campus consists of farms with a further 150-acres being devoted to an 18-hole golf course. With 24 Greek chapters, 17 residence hall communities, university apartments and the Steel House woman’s co-operative, UI has a wide variety of on-campus accommodation options. The University’s library is the largest in the state with over 1.4 million items on its shelves. And UI offers over $25 million in scholarships annually.
Overview
Just 30 minutes from the center of the state capital of Boise in the city of Caldwell, The College of Idaho is the state’s oldest private, residential liberal arts college. Founded in 1891, the College’s residential campus provides 15 academic, athletic, student life and support buildings along with five residence halls, suite-style apartments and numerous rental houses adjacent to campus. The college offers 26 majors and 58 minors in the fine arts and humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, social sciences and history, and professional fields. And its “PEAK” curriculum allows undergraduate students to graduate with a major and three minors in four years.
Features
With just over a thousand students, The College of Idaho’s small class sizes ensures a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1. Popular undergraduate majors include
- Social Sciences
- Business
- Health Professions
- Psychology
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Notables
The college has three fraternities and four sororities along with more than 50 student clubs and organizations and an active student government. According to the U.S. News & World Report, the College of Idaho is No. 1 in Idaho for graduation rate, freshman retention rate, alumni giving, and has the highest percentage of freshmen in the top-10 percent of their high school class. And the College’s alumni include seven Rhodes Scholars, three state governors, and four NFL players.
Overview
In 1974 Boise State University became Idaho’s third state university and as such awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It was founded by the Episcopal Church in 1932. Two years later, in 1934, it became an independent junior college and since 1965 has been awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Located in downtown Boise, the main campus covers 175 acres and has more than 170 buildings. The university has 190 fields of study that are organized through seven colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Graduate Studies; Health Sciences; and Social Sciences and Public Affairs.
Features
With a student population in excess of 22,000, of which over 19,000 are undergraduates, Boise State University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. The most popular undergraduate majors are
- Health Professions
- Business
- Communications & Journalism
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
Notables
There are eight fraternities and nine sororities on campus along with over 260 student clubs and organizations. Boise State awards more degrees annually than any other university in Idaho, has an internationally accredited business school, and offers the nation’s only master’s degree in raptor biology. The University also is known for its nationally-ranked undergraduate engineering program and has Idaho’s largest undergraduate nursing program.
Overview
Founded in 1901 as the Academy of Idaho, The Idaho State University (ISU) is a public research university located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho. On its main campus and from its campuses in Meridian, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls, ISU offers over 280 programs though its 11 Schools and Colleges. These include the College of Arts and Letters, the School of Performing Arts, The College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Science and Engineering, the College of Technology, the College of Pharmacy, The School of Health Professions, The School of Nursing, The Office of Medical and Oral Health and the School of Rehabilitation and Communication Sciences. The University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Features
Offering Associate, Bachelor, Master’s and Doctorate degrees, the 13,500 plus students at IUS, of which over 11,000 are undergraduates, have a student-to-faculty ration of 15:1. The more popular majors are
- Health Professions
- Education
- Business
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences
- Engineering
colleges in idaho falls
Notables
ISU offers on-campus accommodation that is a mix of residence halls and campus apartments whose residents enjoy 24 hour Wi-Fi, computer labs and 12 on-campus dining options. Also, there are 140 registered professional, academic, cultural, service and social student organizations and four fraternity and sorority chapters. On campus student media includes a weekly student-run newspaper, The Bengal, and KISU-FM radio station that offers a mix of local and national programs, news and music.
- For every year of college that you complete after high school, your wages will increase by an average of 10 to 20 percent. That’s according to data from the College Board in 2012.
- Idaho’s State Board of Education oversees three universities and one four-year state college. These are located in Boise, Lewiston, Moscow and Pocatello.
- Idaho has three community colleges and a technical college. They’re located in Coeur d’Alene, Twin Falls, Nampa and Idaho Falls.
- Most of Idaho’s private colleges and universities are affiliated with Christian churches. Exceptions are the College of Idaho in Caldwell and two career colleges with campuses in Boise, Idaho Falls and McCall.
- Boise State University is a nationally respected school offering a wide variety of online degree programs for undergraduates and graduate students.
- Public universities and colleges in Idaho colleges are especially affordable. For the 2012-2013 academic year, the average in-state tuition was $5980. The national average was $8070.
- Merit-based scholarships are available to reduce expenses at public and private colleges in Idaho. One example is the Idaho Governor’s Cup program, which awards up to $3000/year for community college and four-year college degree programs.
- Whatever your high school GPA might be, you are likely to receive financial aid for public and private colleges in Idaho. For example, about 93% of current students at Idaho State University get financial aid. At Brigham Young University, a private school affiliated with the LDS Church, nearly 90 percent of applicants with financial need received assistance for the 2013-2014 academic year.
