Head-to-head · 2026
Boise State University vs The College of Idaho
Compare average net price ($21,610 at Boise State University; $19,481 at The College of Idaho), ROI score (5.98 vs 6.22), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($51,658 vs $48,473), and admissions selectivity (87.2% acceptance at Boise State University; 49.1% at The College of Idaho) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Boise State University | The College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 5.98 | 6.22 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,610 | $19,481 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $86,440 | $77,924 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,048 | $37,845 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $27,788 | $37,845 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $51,658 ✓ | $48,473 |
| Acceptance rate | 87.2% | 49.1% |
| Graduation rate | 60.2% | 62.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 81.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $20,500 ✓ | $24,500 |
| Enrollment | 17,674 | 1,041 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1180 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Boise State University | The College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $18,165 | $14,026 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,974 | $16,218 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $20,731 | $17,773 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $23,573 | $19,729 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,893 | $23,095 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Boise State University | The College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.5% | 17.1% |
| Biology, General | 2.5% | 14.4% |
| Psychology, General | 3.1% | 10.3% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.4% | 10.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2% | 4.8% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 1.8% | 4.8% |
| Marketing | 2.2% | 3.8% |
| Political Science and Government | 1.4% | 3.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
The College of Idaho reports the lower average net price by $2,129 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,516 difference over four years ($77,924 vs $86,440).
Boise State University reports $3,185 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,658 vs $48,473). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.9% at Boise State University and 81.9% at The College of Idaho. Median federal debt among completers is $20,500 vs $24,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Boise State University vs The College of Idaho, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
The College of Idaho is cheaper — average net price $19,481 per year vs $21,610 at Boise State University. The annual difference of $2,129 adds up to about $8,516 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Boise State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,658 vs $48,473 at The College of Idaho. The gap in the federal data is $3,185. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
The College of Idaho is more selective at 49.1% acceptance vs 87.2% at Boise State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.