Brigham Young University-Idaho vs The College of Idaho: which has better ROI?
Brigham Young University-Idaho has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $32,884 in 6.5 years versus 689.6 years at The College of Idaho, on median earnings of $53,406 vs $48,473 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Brigham Young University-Idaho | The College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,221 | $19,481 |
| Total net cost | $32,884 | $77,924 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,406 | $48,473 |
| Median debt | $13,969 | $24,500 |
| Payback | 6.5 yrs | 689.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $68,036 | -$75,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Brigham Young University-Idaho or The College of Idaho?
Brigham Young University-Idaho, at $8,221 a year after aid versus $19,481 — a gap of $11,260 a year, or $45,040 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Brigham Young University-Idaho or The College of Idaho graduates earn more?
Brigham Young University-Idaho graduates report a median $53,406 ten years after entry, $4,933 more than the $48,473 at The College of Idaho. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Brigham Young University-Idaho or The College of Idaho?
Brigham Young University-Idaho: its completers carry a median $13,969 in federal loans versus $24,500 at The College of Idaho, a difference of $10,531. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at The College of Idaho, against 55% at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.