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Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Idaho

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Idaho's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs show dramatic cost differences, with Brigham Young University-Idaho offering a $7,131 net price while Northwest Nazarene reaches $25,537. Lewis-Clark State College graduates earn the highest median salary at $36,848, nearly double BYU-Idaho's $21,105. Tech companies like Micron Technology value liberal arts graduates for their analytical thinking and communication skills, creating opportunities beyond traditional humanities careers. The state's growing economy and affordable living costs make these programs particularly attractive for students seeking broad educational foundations.
6
Programs
$7,131 – $25,537
Net Price Range
$29,365
Avg. Program Earnings
53.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,131 $21,105 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
2 $12,832 $36,848 $7,388 44.7% 86.8%
3 $13,782 $28,327 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
4 $19,182 $35,060 $8,782 61.9% 83.9%
5 $17,324 $25,484 $8,356 38.3%
6 $25,537 $39,370 59.9% 88.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge earnings gap between Idaho liberal arts programs?

Lewis-Clark State College graduates earn $36,848 median salary compared to BYU-Idaho's $21,105, a difference of over $15,000 annually. This reflects different career paths and regional job markets, with Lewis-Clark's location near Washington state providing access to higher-paying positions.

How do graduation rates compare across Idaho's liberal arts programs?

Boise State leads with a 61.90% graduation rate, followed closely by University of Idaho at 60.90%. Idaho State University lags significantly at 38.30%, despite having a moderate net price of $17,324.

Is private or public education more affordable for liberal arts in Idaho?

Public schools dominate affordability, with in-state tuition ranging from $7,388 to $8,816. BYU-Idaho offers the lowest net cost at $7,131 due to church subsidies, while Northwest Nazarene costs $25,537 net price.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.