Colleges in Idaho
Why go to College in Idaho?
Whether in Boise, Pocatello, Lewiston, or online, Idaho colleges offer a wide array of certifications and two- and four-year degrees. The state is known for its agriculture, food processing, lumber, and electronics manufacturing industries. For those attending classes in state, Idaho's outdoor recreation opportunities include hiking, camping, and climbing, as well as winter activities such as skiing and snowmobiling. Most importantly, online schools in Idaho prioritize affordable education.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Idaho?
On-Campus
On-campus students in Idaho learn in social environments cultivated through academics and residence halls. On-campus living promotes an immersive educational environment. All of the state's four-year universities offer residence halls and, with the exception of Lewis-Clark State College, allow fraternities and sororities. Extracurricular activities such as student clubs and sports teams create opportunities for students to make lifelong friends. Benefits of living in state include access to outdoor sports and natural destinations, with 60% of the state's territory maintained by the National Forest Service. Many schools offer outdoor adventure activities to foster students' relationships with nature and to build leadership skills.
Online Programs
Online schools in Idaho offer certifications, continuing education, and two- and four-year degrees. Online schools in Idaho offer flexibility, often with individually paced, asynchronous coursework and flexible enrollment. Unlike traditional, on-campus programs, online schools in Idaho do not require students to maintain full-time status and complete course loads.
Online colleges in Idaho are specifically designed for full-time professionals who want to change or accelerate their career; higher degrees and certifications increase earning power. Flexible online platforms are also great avenues for parents juggling personal and professional lives and for students with medical or environmental requirements.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs combine the benefits of an on-campus experience with the flexibility of online learning. Students in hybrid programs typically take courses online at their own pace and complete in-person requirements such as meetings with professors, group projects, and intensive short-term seminars. These on-campus requirements increase interpersonal skills and build a sense of community. Like online programs, hybrid programs allow students to work full-time or take care of family or personal needs while pursuing an education.
Popular Degree Programs in Idaho
Given its location in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho is perfectly situated for nature enthusiasts and adventure tourism. With its rising population, Idaho is a growing center of business. As such, the natural resources and business management fields rank among the most popular majors in the state.
Natural resources Located in one of the most verdant areas of the country, the natural resources field is an ideal focus for students in Idaho. Students focus on areas such as wildlife resources, fire ecology and management, and forestry and gain skills necessary to positively impact the environment.
Management Management degrees train future business leaders to negotiate and organize people and resources. Managers use strong communication skills, strategic planning, and business acumen to orchestrate complex situations and increase productivity.
Best Online Colleges in Idaho for 2019
Online schools in Idaho offer flexible curricula to help students pursue education on their time. The following is a list of the best online colleges in Idaho. This resource will help you find the best online school to meet your academic and professional needs.
Top 4 Colleges in Idaho for 2019
Admissions Rate
56%
Graduation Rate
49%
Online Enrollment
25%
Retention Rate
77%
Default Rate
5%
NNU is a private Christian institution that serves approximately 2,000 full-time students through distance learning and on-campus study. NNU Online offers bachelor's degrees in business administration, liberal studies, nursing, and Christian ministry. NNU is one of the top online schools in Idaho and offers an online BS in business administration that is organized in a cohort model and can be completed in just 16 months.
Students must have at least 45-60 credits to enroll in these programs. There is also a BA in Christian ministry that is offered in an accelerated online format that can be completed in as few as 36 months. Students can transfer credits from accredited institutions. Online programs at NNU fulfill the Church of the Nazarene ordination requirements. NNU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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Best Online Community Colleges in Idaho for 2019
Top 2 Online Community Colleges in Idaho for 2019
Graduation Rate
20%
Online Enrollment
12%
Retention Rate
57%
Default Rate
21%
The College of Southern Idaho is located in Twin Falls. CSI offers various online associate degrees in business, education, health sciences, liberal arts, library and information science, and criminal justice. Several professional certificate programs also are offered, making CSI one of the top online community colleges in Idaho. Tuition is based on the student's place of residence and depends on whether they live in the Idaho counties considered in district, in state, or out of state. Online and on-campus tuition is the same.
CSI's online programs use Blackboard to distribute course materials. Classes are taught asynchronously, so students may participate when it is convenient for them. Class discussions take place in threaded forums, where students can post their thoughts and ideas on the topic within a given time frame. CSI library resources, which includes assistance from the reference librarian, are available to online students.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Idaho
Full-time students in Idaho pay about $2,000 less per year than the national average. Additionally, the state allocates more tax funding to higher education than the national average. Even so, fewer Idaho residents benefit from higher education; though more locals hold associate degrees than the national average, Idaho falls behind on bachelor's and graduate-level degrees.
| Idaho | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $4,472 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 7.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 17.7% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 8.2% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Idaho
The financial burden of earning a certification or degree is a vital factor when choosing a program. In-state tuition varies by specific location, and there is a wide range of potential fees. Costs also vary based on whether the program is in-person, hybrid, or online college in Idaho. Idaho's public four-year programs cost less than the national average. However, the state's two-year programs cost slightly more.
Tuition Prices
Tuition is one of the most significant costs for a student. The table below compares Idaho's average tuition with national prices. In addition to tuition, students pay for rent, transportation, and supplies such as books, software, and computers.
Financial Aid
Every student, online or on-campus, should take advantage of public and private financial aid opportunities. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to learn which government resources you are eligible for. FAFSA is the gateway to subsidized and unsubsidized loans, work-study opportunities, and some forms of private support. Always choose subsidized loans first because they do not accrue interest while you are enrolled in school. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as the award is received. Work-study positions are also valuable resources within academic departments, student housing, athletic departments, and community outreach programs.
Cost of Living by Region
Cost of living varies dramatically by region. Beyond tuition, housing tops the list of considerations, but other factors include transportation, food, and educational supplies. The following table details housing costs in cities both in and outside Idaho. Consider the cost of living when comparing on-campus and online learning options. These early decisions will impact the quality of your living environment during school and may affect your earning potential after graduation.
Cost for Online Programs in Idaho
Online students may qualify for government and private funding. Online colleges in Idaho charge tuition rates similar to on-campus rates; however, online students can save money on certain fees, along with housing and transportation costs. For students with full-time positions or families, pursuing distance learning at online colleges in Idaho makes managing professional, personal, and academic responsibilities easier.
Scholarships for Idaho College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships can be used for on-campus or online colleges in Idaho. When applying for assistance, mention the type of school you plan to attend (in-person, online, or hybrid) and verify that the funding applies. Always read scholarship and grant requirements carefully to ensure you are applying for the best resources to help you meet your academic goals.
Employment Outlook in Idaho
Idaho is ranked sixth in the nation for favorable unemployment rates—just under 3%. However, Idaho's mean annual wage is almost $8,000 less than the national average. This is due in part to the state's lower cost of living, but it is also the result of fewer higher degrees being conferred across the state. Some well-paying and popular positions in Idaho include general and operations manager, registered nurse, heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver, and sales representative.
| Idaho | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 2.9% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $41,910 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Idaho
Top Industries in Idaho
Office and administrative support: The administrative support industry includes a variety of positions across public and private businesses, comprising telephone operators, accounting clerks, human resources assistants, police and ambulance dispatchers, computer operators, and statistical assistants.
Sales occupations: The sales occupations industry includes retail salespersons and cashiers, advertising and insurance sales agents, travel agents, wholesale marketers, real estate brokers, telemarketers, street vendors, and models.
Food preparation and serving: Chefs and head cooks, supervisors of food quality, food preparation workers, bartenders, cafeteria and fast food employees, waiters and waitresses, baristas, and dishwashers fall into this category.
Top Employers in Idaho
Local government: 999,310 employees
Grocery stores: 1,109,620 employees
Restaurants: 9,312,510 employees
State Exchange Programs for Idaho College Students
State-to-state exchange programs, such as the Western Undergraduate Exchange, offer students the opportunity to pursue higher education outside their home state, with tuition rates reduced by up to 150%. Interested students should apply as soon as possible; most exchange programs accept applications on a rolling basis, and participating schools limit the number of exchange enrollees.
Participants in this program pay tuition rates reduced by 150% and receive two years of assistance for an associate degree and four years of assistance for a bachelor's.
Eligible States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Accreditation for Colleges in Idaho
Accreditation is extremely important when choosing a higher education institution. The reputation and quality of your chosen school will affect your earning potential after graduation, and regional or national accreditation guarantees recognition of your degree across states and territories. State-to-state exchange programs, for example, are only available for accredited institutions, which ensures the caliber of the degree programs. All six U.S. regional accreditation boards are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation .
Traditionally, accreditation of a college or university also applies to the school's online programs. The Idaho State Board of Education accredits all Idaho universities and colleges, both public and private, and many associate degree programs. Additionally, online colleges in Idaho receive accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities , an independent, nonprofit regional accreditation body that is recognized by the National Board of Education. Research potential schools' credentials to ensure you receive the best education possible.
Resources for Students in Idaho
Idaho State Board of Education: This website provides links to public and private institutions across the state, as well as helpful checklists and how-to guides for college and financial aid applications.
Idaho State Board of Education, State Scholarships: Also provided by the Idaho State Board of Education, this resource details scholarships available to Idaho residents. Scholarships are based primarily on need and merit.
Idaho Community Foundation Scholarships: This website offers a list of privately funded scholarships for students enrolled in or planning to enroll in Idaho universities and colleges. Carefully review the qualifying criteria for each scholarship to find the best opportunities for you.
Tourism Cares Academic Scholarships: Designed to assist full- and part-time students pursuing careers in tourism, this list of scholarships is for Pacific Northwest students majoring in hospitality, hotel administration, lodging management, travel, and ASTA-relevant fields.