At $20,566/yr net price, The College of Idaho graduates earn $48,473/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,473/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,566 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $82,264 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,473/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,473/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,367/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,437/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,013/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,946/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,125/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,890 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $26,933 | $26,000 |
| History. | Bachelor | $26,933 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $25,194 | |
| Social Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $24,035 | |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $23,649 | $20,227 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $22,192 | $21,500 |
The Risk Factor
64.1% of students at The College of Idaho graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The College of Idaho gives you a middle-of-the-road financial return that leans mixed. A $48,473 median salary ten years out clears the roughly $24,500 in debt most graduates carry, and the 64% graduation rate means you have a decent shot at finishing. But the payoff depends heavily on what you study, and the early-career program numbers here are not encouraging.
Business Administration is the clear leader among tracked majors, and it also comes with lighter debt than psychology graduates carry. History, psychology, natural resources conservation, and social sciences all land in the mid-$20,000s early on, with psychology graduates leaving with the heaviest debt load of the group. If you pick one of those liberal-arts paths expecting the salary to jump fast, plan for slow growth and a longer climb toward that ten-year median.
The main risk here is concentration in low-paying fields. Idaho's job market rewards business and technical skills more than the humanities majors that make up most of this school's top-earning programs. A 76% retention rate is fine but not strong, so roughly one in four first-years does not return, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst financial outcome.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $15,367 a year. over $110,000, you pay about $25,125. Oddly, the $48-75k tier pays less than the $30-48k tier, so run your own numbers before assuming where you land.
This school fits you if you want a private liberal-arts setting, qualify for the lower-income price tiers, and either study business or accept that a humanities degree here pays off slowly. If you need a high starting salary right after graduation, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The College of Idaho worth the cost for most students?
The College of Idaho's return on investment is below average, with graduates earning $48,473 ten years after enrollment while carrying $24,500 in median debt. The net price of $20,566 per year is reasonable, but low post-graduation earnings make it a risky financial choice for most majors.
Which programs at The College of Idaho offer the best financial returns?
Business Administration graduates earn the highest at $31,890 annually, though this is still modest for a business degree. History, Psychology, and other liberal arts programs at The College of Idaho typically lead to starting salaries around $25,000-27,000, making debt repayment challenging.
How much debt do The College of Idaho graduates typically have?
The College of Idaho graduates carry a median debt of $24,500, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with most graduates earning under $32,000 in their first jobs, even this moderate debt level can strain budgets.
Does The College of Idaho provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
The College of Idaho's net price of $20,566 suggests decent financial aid for a private college, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. The 64% graduation rate indicates some students struggle to complete their degrees, which eliminates any return on investment.