Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2026

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN IDAHO

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Idaho. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Key Takeaways

  • The most affordable colleges in Idaho emphasize strong community ties and support systems, offering resources like career services, internships, and community-based learning opportunities that enhance the overall student experience.
  • Affordable colleges in Idaho offer a wide range of academic programs, including specialized fields like engineering, agriculture, and performing arts, catering to various student interests.
  • The institutions in our ranking provide some of the lowest tuition rates in the state, making higher education more accessible.

Finding an affordable college in Idaho means balancing sticker price with program fit, accreditation, and total cost of attendance. This guide lists institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees, report tuition and fees near or below the national average, and meet accreditation standards—so you can compare schools on a like-for-like basis. There are 6 colleges and universities in Idaho with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year, and the selections below focus on net cost potential for degree-seeking undergraduates.

Use the list to narrow choices by program strengths, residency rules, and additional fees (room, board, supplies) rather than tuition alone; the most affordable option on paper is not always the lowest-cost pathway to graduation.

Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Idaho

    Moscow , ID

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Idaho

    Cost of Degree: $8,816
    Expenses: $15,164
    Starting Salary: $58,095
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Idaho’s Online Degrees

    BS in Organizational Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BGS in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
  2. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    33K

    Career Outlook for degree at Boise State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,782
    Expenses: $23,559
    Starting Salary: $60,091
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Boise State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Management
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Cyber Operations And Resilience
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Multidisciplinary Studies
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Public Relations
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Public Health
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Respiratory Care
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Applied Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Imaging Sciences
    • Format: Fully online
  3. #3

    Idaho State University

    Pocatello , ID

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    15K

    Career Outlook for degree at Idaho State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,356
    Expenses: $14,854
    Starting Salary: $50,919
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Idaho State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Workplace Training And Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Fire Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Homeland Security And Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Secondary Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Education
    • Business Technology
    • Family And Consumer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Secondary Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Education
    • Business Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in General Family Consumer Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Sociology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Surveying And Geomatics Engineering Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    59K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University–Idaho

    Cost of Degree: $4,656
    Expenses: $10,714
    Starting Salary: $56,190
    Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Brigham Young University–Idaho known for?

    Brigham Young University–Idaho’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Brigham Young University–Idaho’s Online Degrees

    BS in Applied Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Applied Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Applied Health Informatics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Marriage And Family Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
  5. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lewis–Clark State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,388
    Expenses: $17,330
    Starting Salary: $52,487
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lewis–Clark State College known for?

    Lewis–Clark State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Lewis–Clark State College’s Online Degrees

    BA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Business And Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Business And Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Sport Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Sport Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Justice Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Justice Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BTC in Early Childhood Development
    • Required Credits: 10
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 83
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Communication Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Communication Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in General Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Education
    • Humanities
    • Natural Sciences And Mathematics
    • Social Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in General Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Anthropology
    • History-Secondary Education
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Computed Tomography
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Computed Tomography
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in Nursing Lpn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Radiographic Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Radiographic Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1256/26

    What is New Saint Andrews College known for?

    New Saint Andrews College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Idaho’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive
  1. Brigham Young University–Idaho
  2. Lewis–Clark State College
  3. Idaho State University
  4. Boise State University
  5. University of Idaho
  6. New Saint Andrews College
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