by our College Data Analytics TeamBoise State University ranks #1 of 31 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Idaho ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 50% six-year graduation rate and $41,884 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Idaho, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **31** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 31 colleges on more than 20 objective measures 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.
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Boise State University leads the 31 ranked colleges in Idaho, followed by Carrington College Boise (#2) and Brigham Young University Idaho (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Boise State University to be the best college in Idaho. Located in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,059. Typical student debt is $24,311.
A rank of #2 makes Carrington College Boise one of the top colleges in Idaho. Located in Boise, ID, Carrington College Boise is a private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,494 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,288 to complete a degree here.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Idaho. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rexburg, ID. Brigham Young University Idaho graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,853. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete a degree here.
University Of Idaho came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Idaho. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. University Of Idaho posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,246. Graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans.
Out of the 31 colleges in Idaho in this year's ranking, The College Of Idaho landed the #5 spot. The College Of Idaho is a private not-for-profit school based in Caldwell, ID. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,845. The College Of Idaho graduates report median early-career earnings of $30,968. Typical student debt is $23,789.
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nampa, ID. Northwest Nazarene University graduates 71% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,824 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,330. The median student debt is $27,562.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lewiston, ID. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Median early-career earnings reach $44,496. The median student debt is $23,781.
Idaho State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,446. Typical student debt is $24,640.
Eastern Idaho Technical College landed the #9 spot in Idaho this year. Set in Idaho Falls, ID, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,750 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,314 early in their careers. Eastern Idaho Technical College students take on a median of $17,066 in debt.
College Of Southern Idaho ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Twin Falls, ID, College Of Southern Idaho is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,099. College Of Southern Idaho students take on a median of $11,175 in debt.
College Of Western Idaho did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Nampa, ID, College Of Western Idaho is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. College Of Western Idaho students take on a median of $12,497 in debt.
North Idaho College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Coeur d'Alene, ID, North Idaho College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. North Idaho College graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,489. The median student debt is $14,688.
Paul Mitchell The School Nampa ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Nampa, ID. Median early-career earnings reach $21,620. Typical student debt is $10,556.
Paul Mitchell The School Boise landed the #14 spot in Idaho this year. This private for-profit school is set in Boise, ID. Graduates go on to earn a median of $21,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,556 to complete a degree here.
Aveda Institute Boise placed #15 among the best colleges in Idaho. This private for-profit school is set in Boise, ID. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $17,824. Typical student debt is $11,906.
Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private for-profit school is set in Boise, ID. Early-career graduates earn a median of $20,258. Students borrow a median of $9,166 to complete a degree here.
Rexburg College Of Massage Therapy did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Rexburg, ID, Rexburg College Of Massage Therapy is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $17,692. Graduates carry a median of $6,544 in student loans.
Boise Barber College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Located in Boise, ID, Boise Barber College is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $19,417. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans.
College Of Massage Therapy landed the #19 spot in Idaho this year. Based in Blackfoot, ID, College Of Massage Therapy is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $17,692. Students borrow a median of $6,734 to complete a degree here.
Provo College Idaho Falls Campus landed the #20 spot in Idaho this year. Located in Idaho Falls, ID, Provo College Idaho Falls Campus is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,068 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $45,978. Typical student debt is $31,651.
Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Rexburg, ID, Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg is a private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,385 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,583 to complete a degree here.
Aveda Institute Twin Falls came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Twin Falls, ID. Graduates go on to earn a median of $19,015 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $9,400 in student loans.
Headmasters School Of Hair Design landed the #23 spot in Idaho this year. Based in Lewiston, ID, Headmasters School Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $18,690. Typical student debt is $12,000.
Boise Bible College came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Boise, ID, Boise Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boise Bible College posts a six-year graduation rate of 30%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,802.
D And L Academy Of Hair Design placed #25 among the best colleges in Idaho. Based in TWIN FALLS, ID, D And L Academy Of Hair Design is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $11,717. D And L Academy Of Hair Design students take on a median of $10,556 in debt.
These 6 colleges rank #26 through #31 of 31 in Idaho. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs 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.