At $8,728/yr net price, College of Eastern Idaho graduates earn $42,057/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,057/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,728 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,057/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,057/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,879/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,012/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,967/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,859/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,921/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 | $20,197 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $34,704 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $31,851 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $31,314 | $11,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $27,488 |
The Risk Factor
35.3% of students at College of Eastern Idaho graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
College of Eastern Idaho gives you a low-cost entry point with a payoff that hinges almost entirely on one field: nursing. At under $9,000 a year net and $12,000 in median debt, the financial downside here is small. The upside depends heavily on what you study.
Nursing is the clear winner. The Registered Nursing associate degree pays about $57,000 ten years out, well above the school's $42,057 median and enough to justify the higher $20,197 debt load that program carries. Practical/vocational nursing pays less but comes with debt near $11,000, so you can start earning fast without borrowing much. If you come here for either nursing track, the math works.
The other programs are a harder sell. Computer networking, allied health, and accounting all land in the low $30,000s or below, and accounting sits under $28,000. Those numbers barely clear what many jobs pay without a degree, so the return on those associate degrees is weak even at this price.
The real risk is completion. Only 35% of students graduate, and a credential you don't finish leaves you with debt and no earnings bump. That risk matters more than tuition here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $5,900. above $110,000, you pay roughly $12,900. The gap between tiers is modest, so this stays affordable across incomes.
This school fits you if you want nursing or a low-cost, transfer-oriented start close to home in eastern Idaho. Look elsewhere, or plan to transfer for a bachelor's, if you're eyeing accounting or general programs and want the degree itself to lift your earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Eastern Idaho worth the cost for the low graduation rate?
With a 35% graduation rate and median earnings of $42,057 ten years after enrollment, College of Eastern Idaho presents significant completion risk. The low net price of $8,728 per year helps offset this concern, but two-thirds of students don't finish their programs.
What programs at College of Eastern Idaho have the best return on investment?
Registered nursing programs at College of Eastern Idaho lead to median earnings of $57,318, making them the strongest financial choice. Computer networking programs also perform well at $34,704, while accounting graduates earn a modest $27,488.
How much student debt do College of Eastern Idaho graduates typically have?
College of Eastern Idaho graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. The low annual net price of $8,728 keeps borrowing minimal for most students.
Does College of Eastern Idaho provide good value compared to other Idaho colleges?
College of Eastern Idaho offers affordable education at $8,728 per year, but the 35% graduation rate creates substantial risk of leaving without a degree. Students who complete nursing or tech programs see decent returns, while other majors may struggle to justify even the low costs.