by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Idaho, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **6** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 6 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.
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Boise State University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Idaho. Set in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,059. Graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at University Of Idaho earned it the #2 place in Idaho. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, 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.
Northwest Nazarene University came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Idaho. Set in Nampa, ID, Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwest Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,824. Northwest Nazarene University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,330. Students borrow a median of $27,562 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the top colleges in Idaho. Set in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,800. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,853. Graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans.
The College Of Idaho came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Idaho. The College Of Idaho is a private not-for-profit school based in Caldwell, ID. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $37,845. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $30,968. Typical student debt is $23,789.
Lewis Clark State College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Lewiston, ID, Lewis Clark State College is a public institution. About 32% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,496 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $23,781 in student loans.
Idaho State University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. Idaho State University graduates 35% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Idaho State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,446. The median student debt is $24,640.
Boise Bible College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Boise, ID, Boise Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,802.
Eagle Gate College Boise Campus placed #9 among the best colleges in Idaho. Eagle Gate College Boise Campus is a private for-profit school based in Boise, ID. In-state tuition and fees average $19,068. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,285. Students borrow a median of $32,612 to complete a degree here.
Provo College Idaho Falls Campus came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Idaho Falls, ID. In-state tuition and fees average $19,068. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,978. Students borrow a median of $31,651 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.