Admit rate has ranged 46%–56% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The College of Idaho is a small, selective liberal arts college punching above its weight in the Northwest, with a 49% acceptance rate and a distinctive blend of rigorous academics, intimate community, and outdoor adventure. Known for its high return on investment and #1 ranking in Idaho, it delivers a personalized education where 99% of students receive scholarships and the average aid package covers most of tuition.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,041
In-state tuition
$37,845
Out-of-state tuition
$37,845
Popular Majors
Business, Biology, Biomedical Sciences
Acceptance Rate
49%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
52%
Median Debt at Graduation
$25k
Avg. Financial Aid Package
$34,599
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$48,473
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.5×
Median debt at graduation
$24,500
Graduation rate
63%
First-year retention
82%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
72%
Pell (lower-income) share
51%
First-generation share
27%
Endowment / student
$120,668
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$31,890
Psychology, General$26,933
History$26,933
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$25,194
Social Sciences, Other$24,035
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$23,649
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
1.92
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
81
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
27°F
Annual rain
12.2"
Annual snow
17.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
62
Scholarly works
793
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at The College of Idaho?
The College of Idaho's acceptance rate is approximately 49% (Caldwell, ID), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for The College of Idaho?
Admitted students at The College of Idaho typically score 1070–1280 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does The College of Idaho cost?
At The College of Idaho, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,481 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend The College of Idaho?
The College of Idaho enrolls approximately 1,041 undergraduate students.
Where is The College of Idaho located?
The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID.
Admissions
The College of Idaho is selective but accessible, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 49% (sources vary between 46-49%). It's notably more selective than the national average for liberal arts colleges. Middle 50% ACT scores range from 20-28, though some reports suggest a slightly higher band of 23-31. The school has an open admission policy for Idaho residents but is selective for out-of-state applicants and certain programs. About 55% of enrolled students receive financial aid, with average packages around $34,599.
This is a classic liberal arts college with a twist: rigorous academics meet hands-on learning. Popular majors include business, biology, and biomedical sciences. The engineering dual-degree program lets students combine liberal arts with engineering studies. Reddit commentators praise its 'high academic standards for the West,' and the curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary pathways. Small class sizes are the norm, with a student-faculty ratio that fosters close mentorship.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Biology, General$22,192
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
With just over 1,000 undergraduates (51% female, 49% male), the campus thrives on tight-knit camaraderie. Niche reviews highlight how easily students form 'strong friendships and connections with peers and professors.' Residence life leans into communal bonding—think late-night conversations in dorms and shared meals. The outdoor program taps into Idaho's rugged landscape, while clubs and NAIA athletics (the 'Yotes') round out the vibe. It's the kind of place where, as the college promises, you'll 'grow alongside other students who care deeply about their future and yours.'
The college boasts a 52% four-year graduation rate—second-highest in Idaho—and a 63% overall completion rate. Median earnings 10 years out are $48k, with graduates typically carrying $25k in debt. It ranks #1 in the state for ROI, though Idaho's broader college attendance and graduation rates lag nationally. The school emphasizes its 'high return on investment,' with alumni outcomes that outperform many regional peers.
Here's the standout: 99% of students receive scholarships, and the average aid package is $34,599. After aid, Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. drops to $22,602 for many. The financial aid office aggressively promotes affordability, offering work-study and both need- and Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need.. One caveat: sticker price is steep, so families should lean hard on the net price calculator to gauge true cost.
This is the liberal arts college for students who want rugged individualism meets academic intimacy. Its #1 state ranking reflects a rare combo: rigorous academics (evidenced by selective admissions and strong grad rates) paired with Idaho's outdoor ethos. The 99% scholarship rate makes it accessible, while the 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures mentorship. For those seeking a tight community where professors know your name and the Sawtooths are your backyard, it’s a compelling pick.
The College of Idaho logo · sourceCampus Map | The College of Idaho · sourceCollege of Idaho Top 120 US News Best College Rankings · sourceCollege of Idaho - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · source
.jpg?width=1600)
