Boise State University vs North Idaho College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Boise State University Boise, ID | North Idaho College Coeur d'Alene, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +51% | -171% |
| 10-year net gain | $47,910 | $-41,760 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $59,182 | $43,267 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $43,876 | $54,841 |
| Average net price | $21,610 | $10,575 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $9,000 |
| Break-even | 6.6 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 60% | — |
| Admission rate | 87% | — |
Boise State University
Break-even
+$47,910 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
North Idaho College
Poor return
$-41,760 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.