Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209
About Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public research university in Pocatello, Idaho, serving roughly 7,583 students. Idaho State University awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $8,610 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $45,608 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Idaho State University charges 56% above the national public median tuition ($8,610).
- Versus the Idaho median, sticker tuition is 5% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 39.39%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,608.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Idaho State University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 835% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
Idaho State University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 141 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho State University | $8,610 | $12,193 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Idaho (state median) | $9,048 | $11,384 | 15 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Idaho State University really?
Key findings
- Idaho State University charges 56% above the national public median tuition ($8,610).
- Versus the Idaho median, sticker tuition is 5% below.
Idaho State University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,610
Finding Idaho State University charges 56% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,610. That is 56% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Idaho median ($9,048), sticker tuition is 5% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 28% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Idaho State University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Idaho State University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Idaho State University is $12,193.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $12,193 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $809 above the Idaho median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $2,778 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Idaho State University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Idaho State University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Idaho State University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$8,610
Out-of-state tuition
$27,720
Avg. net price
$12,193
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $10,593 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,011 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,538 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $14,483 |
| $110,001+ | $16,288 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $34,440. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Idaho State University is known for
Top program completions
- General Studies296
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse172
- Spanish Language and Literature106
- Psychology, General103
- Business Administration and Management, General102
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Idaho State University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Idaho State University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Idaho State University.
Campus
Location
Pocatello, ID
City / state
- ZIP
- 83209
- NCES locale
- Town
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 19% below the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Rocky Mountains
- Carnegie
- Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Size
Enrollment
7,583
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 12,939
- Graduate
- 2,227
- Full-time share
- 82%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$20,039
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 27.94%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Idaho State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Idaho State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Idaho State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,344 | $18,676 | $15,104 |
| 2014 | $6,566 | $19,326 | $16,014 |
| 2015 | $6,784 | $20,182 | $16,257 |
| 2016 | $6,956 | $21,023 | $16,481 |
| 2017 | $7,166 | $21,942 | $16,689 |
| 2018 | $7,420 | $22,940 | $16,679 |
| 2019 | $7,872 | $24,168 | $16,810 |
| 2020 | $7,872 | $24,494 | $17,410 |
| 2021 | $7,872 | $25,326 | $17,410 |
| 2022 | $7,958 | $25,936 | $17,203 |
| 2023 | $8,356 | $27,466 | $17,324 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Idaho State University reported total enrollment of about 7,583 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (70.1%), Hispanic or Latino (15.8%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (3.9%). About 27.94% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 36.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
82.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Idaho State University in 2024 is 7,583 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 12,939 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,227 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
72.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
19.45% 100% Completion Time
39.39% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 19.45% of students graduating from Idaho State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- General Studies: 34% male / 66% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 19% male / 81% female
- Spanish Language and Literature: 22% male / 78% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Idaho State University graduates earn a median of $45,608 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Idaho State University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $45,608. Median federal loan debt: $20,039. Average net price used in cost models: $12,193.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Idaho State University graduates report median earnings of $45,608 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Idaho State University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (141 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Idaho State University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Idaho State University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Idaho State University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$86.2M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Idaho median 1.7× the median ($50.8M)
- Rocky Mountains median 4.4× the median ($19.5M)
- U.S. median 3.3× the median ($26.4M)
- Idaho median 1.1× the median ($8,818)
- Rocky Mountains median 0.91× the median ($10,274)
- U.S. median 0.77× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 94.0%
- Idaho median 32.1 pp above median (61.9%)
- Rocky Mountains median 20.7 pp above median (73.3%)
- U.S. median 36.1 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $8,941
- Idaho median 1.2× the median ($7,474)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.2× the median ($7,458)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $14,363
- Idaho median 2.6× the median ($5,490)
- Rocky Mountains median 2.1× the median ($6,852)
- U.S. median 2.0× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Idaho State University at a glance
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public institution in Pocatello, ID, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- General StudiesRegistered Nursing/Registered NurseSpanish Language and Literature
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian70.1%Hispanic or Latino15.8%Race/ethnicity unknown3.9%
Schools near Idaho State University
Other campuses in Pocatello, ID when available, plus nearby institutions in Idaho.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within Idaho, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Idaho State University located?
Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID.
What is Idaho State University's tuition?
Idaho State University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,610 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $12,193 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Idaho State University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,610 and average net price is $12,193 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $7,882 annually.
What explains Idaho State University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($12,193), completion (39.4% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($45,608). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Idaho State University?
Idaho State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 12,939 students, White (70.1%), Hispanic or Latino (15.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Idaho State University?
About 36.1% of students at Idaho State University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Idaho State University earn?
Median earnings are $41,377 six years after entry and $45,608 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Idaho State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 39.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Idaho State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,039.
Is Idaho State University public or private?
Idaho State University is a public institution located in Pocatello, ID.
Is Idaho State University an HBCU?
No. Idaho State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Idaho State University a tribal college?
No. Idaho State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.