The College of Idaho
The College of Idaho — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The College of Idaho at a Glance
The College of Idaho, abbreviated C of I, is a private liberal arts college in Caldwell, Idaho. Founded in 1891 by William Judson Boone as a Presbyterian college, it is the state's oldest private liberal arts college and has an enrollment of over 1,000 students.
1891
135 years old
$111M
US$111 million
1,085
55 acres
Identity
Is The College of Idaho Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, The College of Idaho is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,473 — 10% below average — while paying $19,481/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $24,500 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at The College of Idaho has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How The College of Idaho compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #10 of 53 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #3 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | University of Dallas | 45 | $22,610 | $58,285 |
| #6 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #10 | The College of Idaho | 39 | $19,481 | $48,473 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of The College of Idaho's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at The College of Idaho
The highest-earning program at The College of Idaho is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $30,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General at $23,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from The College of Idaho earns $30,300, while a Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General graduate earns $23,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $23,750 in median debt vs. $24,322 for Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,481/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,300 | $30,300 | $23,750 |
| Psychology, General | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $24,322 |
Similar Colleges in ID
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Caldwell, ID
- Student Body
- 1,041 students
- Admission Rate
- 49%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,481
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,473
- Median Student Debt
- $24,500