by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Idaho, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **7** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 7 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than Boise State University this year in Idaho. Boise State University is a public school based in Boise, ID. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. Boise State University students take on a median of $24,311 in debt.
Out of the 7 colleges in Idaho in this year's ranking, University Of Idaho landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans.
A rank of #3 makes Carrington College Boise one of the top colleges in Idaho. Carrington College Boise is a private for-profit school based in Boise, ID. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,494 early in their careers. The median student debt is $19,288.
You'll be in good company at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Brigham Young University Idaho posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. The median student debt is $13,287.
Out of the 7 colleges in Idaho in this year's ranking, Lewis Clark State College landed the #5 spot. Set in Lewiston, ID, Lewis Clark State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,496. Lewis Clark State College students take on a median of $23,781 in debt.
Eastern Idaho Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a public school based in Idaho Falls, ID. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Eastern Idaho Technical College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,314. Typical student debt is $17,066.
Idaho State University placed #7 among the best colleges in Idaho. Idaho State University is a public school based in Pocatello, ID. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Median early-career earnings reach $51,446. Typical student debt is $24,640.
College Of Southern Idaho landed the #8 spot in Idaho this year. This public school is set in Twin Falls, ID. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,099. Typical student debt is $11,175.
North Idaho College landed the #9 spot in Idaho this year. Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID, North Idaho College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans.
College Of Western Idaho placed #10 among the best colleges in Idaho. Based in Nampa, ID, College Of Western Idaho is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.