Head-to-head · 2026
North Idaho College vs University of Idaho
Compare average net price ($10,575 at North Idaho College; $14,831 at University of Idaho), ROI score (9.48 vs 9.22), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,081 vs $54,670), and admissions context (Open / not reported at North Idaho College; 75.5% at University 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 | North Idaho College | University of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.48 ✓ | 9.22 |
| Avg net price | $10,575 ✓ | $14,831 |
| 4-year avg net price | $42,300 ✓ | $59,324 |
| In-state tuition | $3,396 | $9,084 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,736 | $28,320 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,081 | $54,670 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 75.5% |
| Graduation rate | 37.5% | 57.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.3% | 75.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,000 ✓ | $21,982 |
| Enrollment | 2,619 | 7,747 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1116 |
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 | North Idaho College | University of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,775 ✓ | $11,270 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,741 ✓ | $11,193 |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,577 ✓ | $13,374 |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,496 ✓ | $17,130 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,845 ✓ | $18,791 |
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 | North Idaho College | University of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 54.8% | 1% |
| Psychology, General | 1.1% | 5.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3% | 2.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.4% | 3.5% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 0.3% | 3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.7% | 1.9% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 0.2% | 2.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.1% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
North Idaho College reports the lower average net price by $4,256 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,024 difference over four years ($42,300 vs $59,324).
University of Idaho reports $14,589 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,670 vs $40,081). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.3% at North Idaho College and 75.6% at University of Idaho. Median federal debt among completers is $9,000 vs $21,982, 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
North Idaho College vs University of Idaho, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
North Idaho College is cheaper — average net price $10,575 per year vs $14,831 at University of Idaho. The annual difference of $4,256 adds up to about $17,024 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Idaho reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,670 vs $40,081 at North Idaho College. The gap in the federal data is $14,589. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.