Skip to main content
CollegeHelpGuide
The College of Idaho logo

The College of Idaho

Caldwell, ID·Private nonprofit·1,049 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

47%
Accept
1,049
Students
$20,566
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$47,300
Earnings
10 yr
$17,000
Debt

About This School

The College of Idaho is a private nonprofit institution located in Caldwell, Idaho with approximately 1,049 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 47% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $20,566 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $47,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

Founded in 1891, this small liberal arts college in Caldwell offers a genuinely affordable path — median debt at graduation is just $17,000, well below the national average — and the tight-knit campus of roughly 1,000 students suits students who want real faculty relationships over a big-university experience. The numbers tell a mixed story, though: a 64% graduation rate and 76% freshman retention suggest a meaningful share of students struggle to finish, so it's worth asking honestly whether the environment and support systems fit your situation. Worth considering if you want a liberal arts education in the Northwest without taking on crushing debt, but come with a clear academic plan.

Founded
1891
Setting
Midsize suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing30%
Biological Sciences16%
Psychology12%
Social Sciences11%
Visual & Performing Arts5%
Education3%
English2%
Physical Sciences2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Elgin BaylorButch OtterPaul Smith

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1166
Reading 75th %ile640
Math 75th %ile630

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite26

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$36,030
Out-of-State Tuition
$36,030
Avg Net Price
$20,566
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants24%
Median debt at graduation$17,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
76%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$17,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$17,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White55%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino17%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,049 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

The College of Idaho

2112 Cleveland Blvd

Caldwell, ID 83605-4432

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Idaho

Browse all Idaho schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.