Skip to main content
Brigham Young University-Idaho breaks the typical cost pattern for Geological and Earth Sciences programs, offering the state's most affordable option at $7,131 net cost despite being private. This creates a $12,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive programs across Idaho's five schools. With major employers like Micron Technology driving demand for geological expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and environmental assessment, Idaho's growing tech sector provides unique career pathways for earth science graduates beyond traditional mining and environmental consulting roles.
5
Programs
$7,131 – $19,182
Net Price Range
$32,360
Avg. Program Earnings
52.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
2 $12,832 $7,388 44.7% 86.8%
3 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
4 $17,324 $8,356 38.3%
5 $19,182 $8,782 61.9% 83.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does BYU-Idaho offer geological sciences at such a low cost compared to public schools?

BYU-Idaho's net cost of $7,131 reflects substantial institutional aid and the LDS Church's educational mission. Even with an in-state tuition of $4,656, this private option costs less than public alternatives like University of Idaho at $13,782 net cost.

What explains the wide earnings gap between geological sciences graduates in Idaho?

Boise State graduates earn $38,289 compared to $28,019 for Idaho State graduates, a $10,270 difference. This likely reflects Boise's proximity to tech companies and environmental consulting firms that value geological expertise for facility planning and environmental compliance.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost for earth sciences in Idaho?

University of Idaho achieves the highest graduation rate at 60.9% with a moderate $13,782 net cost. Idaho State has the lowest rate at 38.3% despite charging $17,324, suggesting cost alone doesn't determine program completion success.

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