Accredited Idaho Schools

With a population of about 1.6 million residents, Idaho is less populous than all but 11 of the 50 U.S. states. Idaho, alternately called the “gemstone state” and the “potato state”, has five colleges which award certificate programs and/or two-year degree programs. Eastern Idaho Technical College offers career- oriented associate degree programs in accounting, business technologies, computer networking, office technologies, web development, registered nursing, dental assisting, automotive and diesel technology, and more. Both synchronous and asynchronous online courses are available to students.

McCall College offers programs in business, computer science, creative arts, languages, and philosophy and ethics. North Idaho College enrolls 6,000 students in 150 degree programs on its 12 campuses and satellite centers. Like most of the other two-year Idaho colleges, dual-credit courses for high school students are among its offerings. The College of Southern Idaho serves about 7,500 students on its four campuses. In addition to offering courses leading to an associate’s degree, the college hosts upper level courses taught by the state’s four-year colleges and universities.

College of Western Idaho, with more than 20,000 students (half taking non-credit courses), is by far the largest two-year institution. Its 53 million dollar annual budget allows the college to offer more than 100 programs, about a third of which are designed to enable seamless transfer into bachelor’s degree programs at the state’s senior institution. Western Idaho also has an extensive online education program.

The state supports four colleges. In order of size, from the largest to the smallest, are Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, and Lewis-Clark State College. In total, the four enroll approximately 50,000 students. All offer coursework via online education.

The most notable private institutions in the state are the College of Idaho and a branch campus of the Utah-based, LDS affiliated, Brigham Young University.

Traditional Colleges in Idaho

Brigham Young University

• Site – www.byu.edu
• Phone – 208-496-1036
• Admissions – birchm@ricks.edu
• Financial Aid – financialaid@byui.edu

Boise State University

• Site – www.boisestate.edu
• Phone – 800-824-7017
• Admissions – bsuinfo@boisestate.edu
• Financial Aid – faquest@boisestate.edu

College of Idaho

• Site – www.collegeofidaho.edu
• Phone – 208-459-5011
• Admissions – cbrown@collegeofidaho.edu
• Financial Aid – jpearson@collegeofidaho.edu

Idaho State University

• Site – www.isu.edu
• Phone – 208-236-2475
• Admissions – info@isu.edu
• Financial Aid – garrcher@isu.edu

Lewis-Clark State College

• Site – www.lcsc.edu
• Phone – 800-933-5272
• Admissions – Admissions@lcsc.edu
• Financial Aid – Finaid@lcsc.edu

University of Idaho

• 888-88-UIDAHO

Community Colleges in Idaho

College of Southern Idaho

• Site – www.csi.edu
• Address – 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls, ID 83301
• Phone – (208) 733-9554

Eastern Idaho Technical College

• Site – www.eitc.edu
• Address – 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83404
• Phone – (208) 524-3000

North Idaho College

• Site – www.nic.edu
• Address – 1000 W Garden Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
• Phone – (208) 769-3300

Vocational, Trade & Career Colleges – Idaho

Boise

Apollo College

Brown Mackie College

Milan Institute

Stevens Henager College

University of Phoenix

Milan Institute

Online Colleges in Idaho

Far from being an obscure state in the American Midwest, Idaho is an exceptionally friendly place for students who wish to take their postsecondary education online. A 2012 National Center for Education Statistics found that nearly 14,000 students enrolled in Idaho’s Title IV institutions were taking their degree programs fully online. This accounted for just under 13%, making Idaho one of the leading states in delivering online degree programs to students. As that number has likely grown significantly in the past few years, this puts Idaho on the cutting edge of among U.S. states regarding distance education.

Among the best colleges in the state offering online educational degrees are some of the state’s top-ranked traditional schools. The top five online degree programs can be found at Brigham Young University-Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, Boise State University, Idaho State University and Northwest Nazarene University. According to the U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings, Brigham Young University-Idaho is well ranked in the state at #13 among regional colleges (West). Lewis-Clark State College is ranked well among regional colleges at #26. Northwest Nazarene University is also ranked well when compared to other regional universities, at #61. Northwest Nazarene University is tied with Boise State University in the same category.

Prospective students will find that many of these programs highly affordable as well. Brigham Young University-Idaho has an annual in-state tuition under $4,000 a year, and a per-credit cost of classes at under $200. Lewis-Clark State College, which does not offer classes on a per-credit basis, does have a relatively low annual tuition rate of just under $6,000. Boise State University offers classes at a per-credit cost of $300, and an annual tuition rate of just over $7,000. Meanwhile, Northwest Nazarene University offers courses at a similar rate to Boise State.

Among these colleges, Boise State University’s online degree program ranks the best. Prospective students will find that the school is ranked #47 on the U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings for Online Graduate Education Programs, #48 for Online Graduate Nursing Programs, #72 for Online Bachelor’s Programs and #97 for Online MBA Programs. Students can take classes through Boise State University’s eCampus. Classes are delivered through the industry-standard Blackboard learning management system. Students will find various programs offered through the school, including undergraduate degrees in Imaging Science, Multidisciplinary Studies, Nursing, Repository Care, and an undergraduate certificate in Business. Online Master’s and Doctoral degree programs at the school include programs in Business Administration, Educational Technology, Healthcare Simulation, Idaho K-12 Online Teaching Endorsement, Nursing (Gerontology), Nursing (Doctor of Nursing Practice), Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning, Social Work, Special Education or Early Childhood Intervention and Victim Services. Many other individual courses are also available, completely online, ranging from 1 to 4 credit classes.

There are 13 schools in total within the state of Idaho that provide online educational opportunities. Prospective students will find options available for every postsecondary degree level at most of the state’s public and private four-year institutions and community colleges.