Best Community Colleges in Idaho 2025

Badge for BEST IN IDAHO COMMUNITY COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Published:
Updated:

The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Idaho offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Idaho’s top community colleges provide some of the lowest tuition rates in the state, along with extensive financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and work-study programs, making education accessible to students from diverse financial backgrounds.
  • Community colleges in Idaho offer hands-on, career-focused programs in fields such as healthcare, welding, information technology, and advanced manufacturing, preparing students for immediate employment in high-demand industries.
  • The colleges in our ranking have seamless transfer agreements with institutions like Boise State University and the University of Idaho, allowing students to complete their associate degrees and easily transition to a bachelor’s program, saving time and money while ensuring a smooth academic experience.

Best Community Colleges in Idaho in 2025

  1. North Idaho College
  2. College of Southern Idaho
  3. College of Western Idaho
  4. College of Eastern Idaho

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best graduate schools in Idaho saw no change in ranking positions. This was a result of all the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.

We’ve identified 4 community colleges in Idaho. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Idaho.

If you’re interested in an online associate degree, visit our best online associate degrees in Idaho page.

Best Community Colleges in Idaho

  1. #1

    North Idaho College

    Coeur d'Alene , ID

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at North Idaho College

    Cost of Degree: $4,960
    Expenses: $13,966
    Starting Salary: $36,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    At North Idaho College, students are guaranteed affordable and practical education. They will also gain the necessary knowledge and skills that will help them find better career options and earn more.

    What we love about North Idaho College:

    NIC offers in-person, online, and hybrid classes so students can earn a degree their way and in their own time.

    North Idaho College is ideal for students who:

    Value a school that has a generous dual credit policy.

    North Idaho College might not be the best fit for students who:

    Favor large universities that do not have a close-knit community.

    Compare school
  2. #2

    College of Southern Idaho

    Twin Falls , ID
    #3 Best Online Associate in Biology #3 Best Online Associate in American Sign Language (ASL) Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2025 #5 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for degree at College of Southern Idaho

    Cost of Degree: $4,560
    Expenses: $11,188
    Starting Salary: $33,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    The College of Southern Idaho is passionate about helping students excel in any endeavor. It is known for its outstanding student-centered environment, faculty, and facilities that help students succeed.

    What we love about the College of Southern Idaho:

    CSI is committed to providing students with whatever support they need, including counseling, food relief, healthcare services, and more.

    College of Southern Idaho is ideal for students who:

    Thrive in a school that offers state-of-the-art programs at affordable costs.

    College of Southern Idaho might not be the best fit for students who:

    Would prefer a large campus and student body.

    Compare school
  3. #3

    College of Western Idaho

    Nampa , ID
    #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2025 #9 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025 #14 Best Online Associate in Philosophy

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    21K

    The College of Western Idaho is for those who want to earn a four-year degree in the Treasure Valley area. It offers leading-edge solutions to prepare students for a brighter future.

    What we love about the College of Western Idaho:

    CWI offers generous dual credit and academic transfer policies to support students at any stage of life.

    College of Western Idaho is ideal for students who:

    Seek a school that engages students in hands-on training in order to have a more competitive edge.

    College of Western Idaho might not be the best fit for students who:

    Do not place a high value on community and student life.

    Compare school
  4. #4

    College of Eastern Idaho

    Idaho Falls , ID

    Tuition + fees

    $4K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at College of Eastern Idaho

    Cost of Degree: $4,390
    Starting Salary: $30,200

    The College of Eastern Idaho is committed to providing easy access to affordable and excellent higher education. CEI offers early college, workforce development, and personal enrichment programs.

    What we love about the College of Eastern Idaho:

    High school students can earn college credits through CEI’s dual credit classes or active enrollment.

    College of Eastern Idaho is ideal for students who:

    Thrive in a school with smaller class sizes for more personalized attention.

    College of Eastern Idaho might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer on-campus housing.

    Compare school
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. North Idaho College
  2. College of Eastern Idaho
  3. College of Southern Idaho
  4. College of Western Idaho
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