At $17,324/yr net price, Idaho State University graduates earn $45,608/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,608/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,324 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $69,296 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,608/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,608/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,039 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,678/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,971/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,797/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,328/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,084/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $124,909 | $92,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $103,424 | $110,724 |
| 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 | $77,136 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $71,015 | $57,360 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $63,005 | $9,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,516 | $15,202 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,042 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
38.3% of students at Idaho State University 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
Idaho State University gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns $45,608 ten years out against a median debt of $20,039, so debt stays manageable if you finish. The bigger problem is finishing at all: only 38% of students graduate, and the ones who leave still owe money without the degree that pays it back.
The engineering and health programs carry this school. Electrical engineering graduates out-earn the school median by more than $30,000, and civil and mechanical engineering both clear the median comfortably. Nursing pays well too, though you take on higher debt to get there. Clinical lab science stands out for a different reason: strong pay with the lowest program debt on the list, which makes it one of the safest bets here for return on what you borrow.
The risk is specific. If you enroll in a major outside these technical and health fields, ISU has no listed program showing you'll clear the school-wide median earnings, and you're betting on a 38% graduation rate to even reach the finish line. Pocatello's regional market rewards the engineering and medical training this school actually delivers, so a degree outside those areas is where the math turns weak.
Net price runs higher as family income climbs, from about $14,700 if your family earns under $30,000 to roughly $21,000 above $110,000. Lower-income families pay less, but the gap between tiers is modest, so this is not a school that gets dramatically cheaper at the bottom.
ISU fits you if you're committed to engineering, nursing, or lab science and confident you'll graduate. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-earning fields, the graduation odds and flat earnings elsewhere make this a harder financial case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idaho State University worth the cost?
Idaho State University's ROI depends heavily on your major. Pharmacy and health programs offer strong returns with six-figure earnings, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $45,608 and 38% graduation rate suggest limited value for most other programs.
What majors at Idaho State University have the best job prospects?
Pharmacy leads with $124,909 median earnings, followed by allied health programs at $103,424. Engineering and business programs also perform well, but most other majors struggle to justify the $17,324 annual cost.
How much debt do Idaho State University graduates typically have?
Idaho State graduates leave with $20,039 in median debt, which is manageable for pharmacy and health majors but creates financial strain for graduates in lower-paying fields. The low graduation rate means many students accumulate debt without finishing their degree.
Should I attend Idaho State University if I'm not studying pharmacy or health?
Consider other options unless you're in engineering or business. With a 38% graduation rate and median earnings under $46,000, Idaho State offers poor value for most liberal arts and general studies programs.