How many colleges are in Idaho?

Idaho has 35 colleges and universities (8 public and 27 private). BYU-Idaho is the largest with 42,213 students, followed by Boise State at 27,250.

Are Idaho universities test-optional?

Yes, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, and College of Idaho are all test-optional. Only 1 college in Idaho requires SAT/ACT scores.

Idaho Colleges and Universities

Complete Guide to Higher Education in Idaho - Public Universities, BYU-Idaho & Idaho LAUNCH

35

Total Institutions

8 public + 27 private

4.2%

Enrollment Growth

Fall 2024 - all institutions up

80%

Idaho LAUNCH

Tuition covered (up to $8,000)

Test-Optional

All Major Universities

Through summer 2026

🎓 Idaho Public Universities (4 Institutions)

Growing Enrollment: All 8 public institutions reported enrollment increases fall 2024 (4.2% growth)

University of Idaho (Flagship)

Founded 1889 Test-Optional

Location: Moscow, ID

Enrollment: 11,849 total (9,574 undergrad)

Acceptance Rate: 79.09% (9,666/12,222)

Tuition: $9,084 in-state, $28,320 out-of-state

Test Scores: SAT median 1076, ACT median 25 (not required)

Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1

Financial Aid: 68% receive grants/scholarships (avg $11,167)

Boise State University

Largest in Idaho Record Enrollment

Location: Boise, ID

Enrollment: 27,250 students (fall 2024 record)

Growth: +2% increase (523 students) over fall 2023

First-Time Students: 5,164 (largest class ever, +10%)

Tuition: $9,048 in-state

Rankings: #301 National Universities, #164 Top Public

Notable Programs:

Nation's only master's in raptor biology
One-of-a-kind Basque Studies program
Idaho's largest undergraduate nursing program
Internationally accredited business school
Biomedical Engineering #124, Computer Engineering #103, Electrical Engineering #113

Online Programs: #10 Graduate Nursing, #23 Bachelor's Business, #26 Bachelor's Programs

Idaho State University

Health Professions Leader

Locations: Pocatello, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls

Enrollment: 10,850 undergrad (fall 2024, +4.1%)

First-Time Students: 1,802 (+2.4%)

Programs: Nearly 300 degree programs and certifications

Tuition: $8,610 in-state

Distinction: Idaho's designated lead institution in health professions (75%+ of state's health degree programs)

Test Policy: Test-optional through summer 2026 (scores used for scholarships/placement)

Lewis-Clark State College

16.5% First-Time Growth

Locations: Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Online

Enrollment: +3.5% FTE fall 2024, 16.5% increase first-time students

Programs: 130+ degrees and certificates (20+ fully online)

Tuition: $7,610 in-state, $22,028 out-of-state (lowest in Idaho)

Growing Divisions (Spring 2024):

Technical & Industrial (+9.9%)
Business & Computer Science (+3.8%, 170 business admin majors)
Nursing & Health Sciences (+3.7%, 500+ students)
Social Sciences (+2.6%)

New Programs: Master's in Nursing launching fall 2024

🏢 BYU-Idaho (Largest Private)

Brigham Young University-Idaho

LDS Church Largest in Idaho

Location: Rexburg, ID

Enrollment: 42,213 undergraduates

Acceptance Rate: 96%

Tuition (2024-2025):

LDS Members: $4,656/year (2 semesters)
Non-LDS: $9,312/year (double rate)

Total Cost of Attendance: $10,000-$13,000 LDS, $14,000-$17,000 non-LDS

Why Lower for LDS: University operating costs paid with Church tithes

2024 Updates:

Removed $35 application fee (Jan 2024)
New $1,000 Returned Missionary Scholarship (one-time)
Automatic Merit Scholarships for freshmen and transfers (Fall 2024)

🏫 Private Universities

College of Idaho

Liberal Arts

Location: Caldwell, ID

Enrollment: 1,041 undergrad, 49 grad (1,085 total)

Founded: 1891 (Idaho's oldest private liberal arts)

Student-Faculty: 10:1

Test Policy: Test-optional

Northwest Nazarene University

Christian

Location: Nampa, ID

Enrollment: 1,043 undergrad, 1,774 total

Extended Programs: 2,000+ undergrad/grad, 6,000+ continuing ed, 2,000+ high school concurrent

Student-Faculty: 14:1

🏘️ Idaho Community Colleges (4 Colleges)

Enrollment Boom: Community colleges grew 31% from 2012-2022, while 4-year universities dropped 1.4%. Community colleges grew 6% from 2019-2023 vs 1% for universities.

College of Western Idaho (CWI)

Locations: Nampa, Boise

Enrollment: 31,000 students (2024)

Growth: Triple-digit increases for 8 consecutive semesters

Status: Expanding Nampa campus (first time since 2007 opening)

North Idaho College (NIC)

Location: Coeur d'Alene

Serving: Northern Idaho region

College of Southern Idaho (CSI)

Location: Twin Falls

Serving: Southern Idaho region

College of Eastern Idaho (CEI)

Location: Idaho Falls

History: Transitioned from technical college in 2017

💰 Idaho LAUNCH - 80% Tuition Coverage

Idaho LAUNCH Grant

80% Tuition No GPA Required

Coverage: 80% of tuition & fees (up to $8,000)

Year One Maximum: $4,000 for programs longer than 12 months, full $8,000 for programs under 12 months

Eligibility Requirements:

Any Idaho high school senior eligible
Graduate from Idaho high school, home school, or GED
NO GPA requirement
NO financial need requirement
Enroll in in-demand career program at eligible Idaho institution
Complete Career Pathway Plan
FAFSA NOT required

Application Timeline (2024-2025):

Opens: October 1, 2024
Initial Applications Due: November 30, 2024
Closes: April 15, 2025
Final Award Letters: June 2025

In-Demand Careers:

Applications ranked by program connection to Idaho Workforce Development Council's approved list (reviewed annually). Hundreds of jobs across:

Healthcare
Manufacturing
Information Technology
Skilled Trades

Impact: Idaho LAUNCH contributed to all public institutions seeing resident student enrollment increases fall 2024

🎓 Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

Need-Based Last-Dollar

Award: Up to $3,500/year, renewable 4 years (total $14,000)

Type: Last-dollar award (fills gap after other scholarships/grants)

Eligibility Requirements:

Unweighted cumulative GPA of 2.7 minimum
Graduate from Idaho high school, home school, or GED/HSE
Attend during upcoming academic year (fall semester)
Pursue certificate, first associate's, or first bachelor's degree
Complete FAFSA by March 1
Attend eligible Idaho college or university

Scoring (Need-Based):

70% based on SAI (Student Aid Index) from FAFSA
30% based on GPA

Renewal Requirements:

Complete 30 credits per academic year
Maintain satisfactory academic progress

Important Change (2025-2026): Students can only apply for Idaho Opportunity OR Idaho LAUNCH, not both.

💲 Idaho Tuition Comparison (2024-2025)

Institution	In-State	Out-of-State
Average Idaho Public	$7,580	$22,490
Lewis-Clark State College	$7,610	$22,028
Idaho State University	$8,610	-
Boise State University	$9,048	-
University of Idaho	$9,084	$28,320
BYU-Idaho (LDS)	$4,656/year
BYU-Idaho (Non-LDS)	$9,312/year

2024-2025 Increase: In-state tuition at all four-year public universities increased 3% across the board

📝 Test-Optional Policies

Idaho Universities - Test-Optional

Idaho State University: SAT/ACT scores not required for admission through summer 2026. Scores still used for scholarships and course placement.

University of Idaho: Test-optional (scores not required but recommended). May strengthen application.

College of Idaho: Test-optional admission. All students given equal consideration regardless of test submission.

Overall: In Idaho, only 1 college requires SAT/ACT scores and 0 colleges recommend them.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Idaho has 35 colleges and universities (8 public and 27 private). The public system includes 4 four-year universities and 4 community colleges. BYU-Idaho is the largest with 42,213 students, followed by Boise State at 27,250.

Idaho LAUNCH covers 80% of tuition and fees (up to $8,000) for Idaho high school graduates pursuing in-demand careers. No GPA or financial need requirement, just complete a Career Pathway Plan. Application opens October 1, due November 30. Cannot combine with Idaho Opportunity Scholarship starting 2025-2026.

Yes, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, and College of Idaho are all test-optional. Idaho State is test-optional through summer 2026, though scores are still used for scholarships and course placement. Only 1 college in Idaho requires SAT/ACT scores.

BYU-Idaho is the largest with 42,213 undergraduates. Among public universities, Boise State is largest with 27,250 students (record fall 2024), followed by University of Idaho (11,849) and Idaho State (10,850 undergrad). College of Western Idaho leads community colleges with 31,000 students.

In-state tuition ranges from $7,610 (Lewis-Clark State - lowest) to $9,084 (University of Idaho - highest). Average Idaho public tuition: $7,580 in-state, $22,490 out-of-state. All four-year universities increased tuition 3% for 2024-2025. BYU-Idaho charges $4,656 for LDS members, $9,312 for non-LDS.

Idaho LAUNCH: 80% tuition (up to $8,000), no GPA requirement, no financial need, for in-demand careers, no FAFSA. Idaho Opportunity: up to $3,500/year, needs 2.7 GPA minimum, need-based (70% SAI + 30% GPA), requires FAFSA by March 1, last-dollar award. Starting 2025-2026, students can only apply for one, not both.

BYU-Idaho charges LDS members $4,656/year vs $9,312 for non-LDS (double rate). Significant portions of university operating costs are paid with tithes from Church members, so LDS members receive lower tuition in recognition of this support. Total cost of attendance is $10,000-$13,000 for LDS vs $14,000-$17,000 for non-LDS.

Yes, all 8 public institutions reported enrollment increases fall 2024 (4.2% growth overall). Boise State reached record 27,250 enrollment (+2%). Community colleges show strongest growth: 31% increase 2012-2022, 6% growth 2019-2023. College of Western Idaho serves 31,000 with triple-digit increases for 8 consecutive semesters. Lewis-Clark State saw 16.5% first-time student increase.

Idaho State University is the state's designated lead institution in health professions, offering 75%+ of Idaho's health degree programs with nearly 300 programs across 4 campuses. Boise State has Idaho's largest undergraduate nursing program. Lewis-Clark State has 500+ students in Nursing & Health Sciences, adding master's in nursing fall 2024.

Boise State's online programs received top U.S. News rankings: #10 Best Online Graduate Nursing, #15 Best Online Bachelor's for Veterans, #23 Best Online Bachelor's in Business, #26 Best Online Bachelor's Programs, and #55 Best Online MBA. The university also offers unique programs like the nation's only master's degree in raptor biology and one-of-a-kind Basque Studies program.