Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,697 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,788 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,720 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,563/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,044/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,953/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,555/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,657/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 | $58,943 | $13,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $51,482 | |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Associate | $41,789 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,025 | $7,625 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $40,461 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $38,829 | $7,848 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $38,289 | $9,312 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $34,908 | $11,507 |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $32,213 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $31,133 | $8,000 |
The Risk Factor
26.8% of students at College of Western 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 Western Idaho gives you a low-cost, career-focused path where the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At under $8,000 a year and median debt below $10,000, you are not taking on much financial risk here, and the debt loads on individual programs stay small even in the highest-earning fields.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays the most of any program on this list and, even with $13,000 in debt attached, that borrowing is easy to justify against the earnings. The technical associate degrees also pay off: electrical engineering technology, heavy equipment maintenance, and drafting all clear $40,000 and feed directly into the trades and manufacturing jobs common across the Boise-Nampa area. Allied health diagnostic professions earn in the same range while carrying the lowest debt of any listed program, which makes it one of the safest bets you can make here.
The biggest risk is not debt but completion. Only about a quarter of students finish, so the real danger is paying for credits, dropping out, and leaving with no credential to show for the cost. Every earnings figure above assumes you actually finish, and most students here don't. Pick a program with a clear job at the end and treat finishing as the whole point.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $5,500 to $6,000 a year, while families over $110,000 pay roughly double that. This school is a strong financial fit if you want nursing, allied health, or a skilled trade and plan to stay in the region. Look elsewhere if you want a bachelor's degree, since none are listed here and you would transfer out before seeing any four-year payoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Western Idaho worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,697 per year and median debt of only $9,720, College of Western Idaho offers good value if you complete your program. However, the 26.8% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which wastes both time and money.
What are the highest paying programs at College of Western Idaho?
Nursing programs at College of Western Idaho lead to median earnings of $58,943, making them the strongest ROI option. Electrical engineering technology ($51,482) and heavy equipment maintenance ($41,789) also offer solid returns on the low tuition investment.
How much debt do College of Western Idaho graduates typically have?
College of Western Idaho graduates have a median debt of $9,720, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. The low debt burden makes it easier to see positive returns, especially in higher-paying technical programs.
What is the graduation rate at College of Western Idaho?
Only 26.8% of students graduate from College of Western Idaho within normal time frames. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor for ROI, as students who don't finish get little benefit from their investment.