Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Idaho 2024

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST IN IDAHO LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Apr 13, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Idaho offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

College of Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho
Northwest Nazarene University
New Saint Andrews College
Lewis–Clark State College

Brigham Young University–Idaho 96%
Northwest Nazarene University 88%
Lewis–Clark State College 87%
New Saint Andrews College 83%
College of Idaho 46%

Brigham Young University–Idaho 19 to 1
Lewis–Clark State College 15 to 1
New Saint Andrews College 14 to 1
Northwest Nazarene University 13 to 1
College of Idaho 10 to 1

Northwest Nazarene University $36,298
College of Idaho $34,630
New Saint Andrews College $14,500
Lewis–Clark State College $6,996
Brigham Young University–Idaho $4,536

College of Idaho $22,540
Northwest Nazarene University $11,093
New Saint Andrews College $9,680
Lewis–Clark State College $4,703

Lewis–Clark State College
New Saint Andrews College
Northwest Nazarene University
College of Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho

Lewis–Clark State College
New Saint Andrews College
Northwest Nazarene University
Brigham Young University–Idaho
College of Idaho

College of Idaho 46%
New Saint Andrews College 83%
Lewis–Clark State College 87%
Northwest Nazarene University 88%
Brigham Young University–Idaho 96%

College of Idaho 10 to 1
Northwest Nazarene University 13 to 1
New Saint Andrews College 14 to 1
Lewis–Clark State College 15 to 1
Brigham Young University–Idaho 19 to 1

Brigham Young University–Idaho $4,536
Lewis–Clark State College $6,996
New Saint Andrews College $14,500
College of Idaho $34,630
Northwest Nazarene University $36,298

Lewis–Clark State College $4,703
New Saint Andrews College $9,680
Northwest Nazarene University $11,093
College of Idaho $22,540

Table of Contents

Colleges and Universities in Idaho

While there are only a few major colleges in Idaho, prospective students do have some excellent public options. In fact, just over half of the 13 colleges and universities in Idaho are public school options.

Boise State University, Idaho’s largest public university, serves roughly 17,000 students through both on-campus and online degree programs. Students at Boise State University can pursue both traditional and online degrees in fields like communications, earth sciences, and engineering.

Other major public universities in Idaho include Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark State College. This is noteworthy because Idaho residents who attend public online colleges in Idaho will still have access to in-state tuition discounts. Out of state students will pay more.

Idaho is also home to five private schools, including the state’s largest school, Brigham Young University Idaho, which has a student population of nearly 49,000 students.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

While students at BYU school can expect to pay around $4,000 in tuition, well below the national average, tuition for Idaho’s other private colleges costs between $13,000 and $30,000 per year.

The majority of Idaho’s colleges and universities can be considered small schools, serving student populations of 4,000 or less. However, the state’s largest schools offer the most affordable tuition fees, with both traditional and online students having access to tuition for as little as $4,000 per year.

Students who pursue their degrees in Idaho can study fields like chemistry, law, and anthropology at the University of Idaho; or religious studies, psychology, and literature at New Saint Andrews College. Additionally, Idaho offers a loan forgiveness-based financial program of up to $100,000 to physicians who work in the state’s rural areas.

French fries, mashed potatoes, tater tots, and even potato-inspired ice cream - Idaho is, as per its reputation, a potato lover’s dream. But it’s not all spuds in this state. Along with countless hiking trails, rivers perfect for rafting trips, and 72 types of gemstones, this state offers both on-campus and online degree programs with competitive tuition fees and excellent professors.

For more information, explore some of Idaho’s top programs and future career possibilities.

What are Idaho’s Colleges & Universities?

Idaho’s Best Overall

How do we determine Idaho's best liberal arts colleges?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 5 liberal arts colleges in Idaho. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Idaho, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Idaho 2023

#1
Brigham Young University–Idaho
Rexburg , ID
#1 Best Christian Colleges in Idaho 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Idaho 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Idaho 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$5K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
54%
Student body
59K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/22
Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University–Idaho
Cost of Degree: $4,536
Expenses: $8,882
Starting Salary: $49,400
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:

Physics
Social Work
Education
Business
Economics
History
Political Science
Chemistry
Psychology
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Dave Wolverton
Kory Katseanes
Brigham Young University–Idaho’s Online Degrees
BS in Applied Business Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Professional Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Health Informatics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
College of Idaho
Caldwell , ID
#1 Best Small Colleges in Idaho 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Idaho 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Idaho 2024
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
60%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/26
Career Outlook for degree at College of Idaho
Cost of Degree: $34,630
Expenses: $14,220
Starting Salary: $47,300
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is College of Idaho known for?

College of Idaho’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Chemistry
Biology
History
Political Science
Sociology
Medical
Mathematics
Education
Psychology
Literature

Most Influential Alumni

Elgin Baylor
Mary Shaw Shorb
Cary Coglianese
Forest Rohwer
Butch Otter
C. Daniel Johnson
Kent E. Holsinger
Paul Smith
Compare school
#3
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa , ID
#2 Best Christian Colleges in Idaho 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Idaho 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Idaho 2024 #4 Best Grad Schools in Idaho 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
58%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
Career Outlook for degree at Northwest Nazarene University
Cost of Degree: $36,298
Expenses: $15,174
Starting Salary: $46,300
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
What is Northwest Nazarene University known for?

Northwest Nazarene University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Philosophy
Psychology
Literature
Education
History
Physics
Social Work
Political Science
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

Thomas Jay Oord
Michael Lodahl
Mildred Bangs Wynkoop
Lori Otter
Northwest Nazarene University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 150
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Christian Ministry

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
New Saint Andrews College
Moscow , ID
#3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Idaho 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Idaho 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Idaho 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2024
- #7 Best Colleges in Idaho 2024
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
82%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/27
What is New Saint Andrews College known for?

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

Education
Compare school
#5
Lewis–Clark State College
Lewiston , ID
#4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Idaho 2024 #4 Best Public Colleges in Idaho 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Idaho 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
35%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Lewis–Clark State College
Cost of Degree: $6,996
Expenses: $13,360
Starting Salary: $38,200
Cost Recoup Time: 11 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:

Social Work
Literature
Chemistry
Education
Sociology
Mathematics
Communications
Biology
History
Computer Science

Most Influential Alumni

Bryan Fuller
Kim Barnes
Lewis–Clark State College’s Online Degrees
BA in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Business

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Business And Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business And Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Business Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Sport Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Sport Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Justice Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Justice Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BTC in Early Childhood Development

Required Credits: 10
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Elementary Education

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 83
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communication Arts

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Communication Arts

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in General Studies

Degree Concentrations
Education
Humanities
Natural Sciences And Mathematics
Social Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in General Studies

Degree Concentrations
Business

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Social Science

Degree Concentrations
Anthropology
History-Secondary Education
Sociology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Social Science

Degree Concentrations
Political Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSW in Social Work

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Computed Tomography

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Computed Tomography

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Lpn To Bsn

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Radiographic Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school

Build your own college rankings

Idaho’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Idaho 2024

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Idaho

Colleges and Universities in Idaho

What are Idaho’s Colleges & Universities?

Idaho’s Best Overall

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Idaho 2023

Brigham Young University–Idaho

Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University–Idaho

Most Influential Alumni

Brigham Young University–Idaho’s Online Degrees

College of Idaho

Career Outlook for degree at College of Idaho

Most Influential Alumni

Northwest Nazarene University

Career Outlook for degree at Northwest Nazarene University

Most Influential Alumni

Northwest Nazarene University’s Online Degrees

New Saint Andrews College

Lewis–Clark State College

Career Outlook for degree at Lewis–Clark State College

Most Influential Alumni

Lewis–Clark State College’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Idaho’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest