Pocatello, ID · Private University
Is Idaho State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,608
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,356
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,466
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$109,864
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.66x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
10.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
38.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,039
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,324
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Idaho State University graduates earn $608 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Idaho State University ranked by graduate earnings
27 graduates
186 graduates
25 graduates
62 graduates
52 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Idaho State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Idaho State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Mechanical Engineering: $76,646) and the lowest (Sociology: $31,282) is $45,364/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical EngineeringBest ROI | $76,646 | 2.8x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,213 | 2.3x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $62,829 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,464 | 2.2x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,424 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $58,182 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,786 | 2.0x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $53,709 | 2.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,426 | 1.9x |
| Biology, General | $49,900 | 1.8x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $48,598 | 1.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $48,352 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $44,780 | 1.6x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $43,602 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,122 | 1.6x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $42,529 | 1.6x |
| Political Science and Government | $42,281 | 1.5x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,104 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,371 | 1.5x |
| Social Work | $39,316 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $38,356 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,224 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,726 | 1.3x |
| SociologyLowest | $31,282 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Idaho State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,608 10 years after starting, $608 above the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 10.4 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.