About Idaho State University
Idaho State University has built a reputation as a health sciences powerhouse since 1901, training nurses, pharmacists, and medical professionals across the Mountain West. The university enrolls 7,260 students in Pocatello, a small city that gives students access to outdoor recreation without big-city distractions. Notable alumni include Hollywood legend Lana Turner and former Idaho Governor Cecil Andrus. ISU's pharmacy and nursing programs consistently produce graduates who fill critical roles in rural and urban healthcare systems.
Students pay an average net price of $17,324 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable options for higher education. Graduates earn a median of $45,608 ten years after starting college, while typical student loan debt sits at $20,039. Monthly loan payments average $212, which represents a manageable burden given the earning potential. The employment rate of 94.8% suggests strong job placement for graduates.
The student body is 90.42% in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel where students often know each other across different programs. Women make up 59.63% of enrollment, reflecting the university's strength in health sciences fields. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students by name, not just student ID numbers.
Students pay an average net price of $17,324 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable options for higher education. Graduates earn a median of $45,608 ten years after starting college, while typical student loan debt sits at $20,039. Monthly loan payments average $212, which represents a manageable burden given the earning potential. The employment rate of 94.8% suggests strong job placement for graduates.
The student body is 90.42% in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel where students often know each other across different programs. Women make up 59.63% of enrollment, reflecting the university's strength in health sciences fields. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students by name, not just student ID numbers.
Academics & Faculty
Idaho State built its reputation around health sciences, operating one of the region's most full pharmacy programs and a well-regarded nursing school. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides solid access to professors, though the 38% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to finish. As a public research university, ISU offers opportunities in undergraduate research, particularly in health-related fields. The school runs dental hygiene and physical therapy programs that draw students regionally. With 90% of students coming from Idaho, the university serves as an affordable pathway for in-state residents seeking healthcare careers. Students benefit from hands-on training in modern facilities, especially in the health sciences building.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 94.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 37.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 38.3%
- Retention Rate
- 73.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,608
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $124,909 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $103,424 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $77,213 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $76,460 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $71,957 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $71,202 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $71,015 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $63,005 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,516 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,042 |
Campus Life
Pocatello sits in southeastern Idaho's high desert, about 230 miles from Salt Lake City and surrounded by mountains that demand winter coats from October through March. Only 17% of Idaho State's 7,260 students live in campus housing, creating a commuter-heavy atmosphere where many drive to class from nearby apartments or family homes. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, especially in the health sciences programs that anchor the university's reputation.
Weekends revolve around Bengals athletics, outdoor recreation, and trips to nearby ski areas or hiking trails in the Portneuf Range. The campus feels intimate despite its Division I status, with 336 student-athletes competing in 11 sports drawing modest but loyal crowds. Students embrace Idaho's outdoor culture year-round, from snowshoeing in winter to camping at American Falls Reservoir in summer. With 90% of students from Idaho, the social scene leans toward tight-knit groups rather than sprawling party culture. Many students work part-time jobs in town, contributing to the practical, no-nonsense campus vibe.
Weekends revolve around Bengals athletics, outdoor recreation, and trips to nearby ski areas or hiking trails in the Portneuf Range. The campus feels intimate despite its Division I status, with 336 student-athletes competing in 11 sports drawing modest but loyal crowds. Students embrace Idaho's outdoor culture year-round, from snowshoeing in winter to camping at American Falls Reservoir in summer. With 90% of students from Idaho, the social scene leans toward tight-knit groups rather than sprawling party culture. Many students work part-time jobs in town, contributing to the practical, no-nonsense campus vibe.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 1,213 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1901
Campus Safety (2023)
81 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 22 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 6 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Domestic Violence | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Aggravated Assault | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Arson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 20°–36°F
- July Avg
- 59°–90°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 13.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- 29.7"
Student Demographics
Idaho State draws heavily from its home region, with 90% of students coming from in-state. The student body leans female at nearly 60%, reflecting the university's strong health sciences programs that traditionally attract more women. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves many first-generation and working-class families from Idaho and surrounding areas. The 71% white enrollment mirrors the demographics of southeastern Idaho, while growing Hispanic representation at 15% reflects changing regional population patterns. This creates a close-knit campus where students often know each other from high school or share similar rural and small-town backgrounds.
- Men
- 40.4%
- Women
- 59.6%
- White
- 71.1%
- Black
- 1.1%
- Hispanic
- 15.3%
- Asian
- 1.2%
- In-State Students
- 90.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 26.8%
Location
Pocatello sits in southeastern Idaho, about 230 miles north of Salt Lake City. The city of 56,000 residents serves as a regional center in the Snake River Plain, surrounded by mountain ranges and high desert terrain. Idaho State draws 90.42% of its students from within state borders, creating a distinctly local atmosphere in this railroad town turned college community. The campus sits at 4,500 feet elevation, where students experience four distinct seasons and easy access to outdoor recreation in the nearby Bannock and Caribou mountain ranges. The small-city setting offers affordable living with on-campus housing for just 1,213 students out of 7,260 enrolled. Students considering colleges in Idaho may also compare Idaho State University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Pocatello, Idaho 83209
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,608
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,592
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 48.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $212/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,039
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admissions at Idaho State University?
Idaho State University maintains an open enrollment policy typical of regional public universities, with a 73.63% first-year retention rate. The university serves as an accessible option for students throughout the Mountain West, with 90.42% of students coming from Idaho.
What does Idaho State University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $17,324 annually after aid, with graduates carrying a median debt load of $20,039. Monthly loan payments average $212, making ISU relatively affordable compared to many four-year institutions.
What is Idaho State University known for academically?
ISU built its reputation on strong health sciences programs and maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio across its offerings. As one of Idaho's oldest universities, founded in 1901, the school has developed particular strength in professional and pre-professional programs.
How successful are Idaho State University graduates in finding employment?
ISU graduates achieve a 94.8% employment rate, with median earnings of $45,608 ten years after graduation. However, only 38.30% of students complete their degrees within six years, reflecting the challenges many working students face.
What is campus life like at Idaho State University?
The Pocatello campus houses 1,213 students in residence halls, creating a close-knit community within the larger enrollment of 7,260. ISU competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Bengals, fielding 11 varsity sports in the Big Sky Conference.
Where do most Idaho State University students come from?
An overwhelming 90.42% of ISU students are Idaho residents, making it one of the most locally-focused universities in the region. The student body is 59.63% female and 71.13% white, reflecting the demographics of southeastern Idaho and the surrounding Mountain West.
