Idaho State University vs The College of Idaho
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Idaho State University Pocatello, ID | The College of Idaho Caldwell, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +165% | +14% |
| 10-year net gain | $92,216 | $11,928 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $59,829 | $54,878 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $44,517 | $33,611 |
| Average net price | $12,193 | $19,481 |
| Median debt | $20,039 | $24,500 |
| Break-even | 3.8 yrs | 8.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 39% | 63% |
| Admission rate | — | 49% |
Idaho State University
Strong return
+$92,216 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
The College of Idaho
Break-even
+$11,928 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.