College of Eastern Idaho vs The College of Idaho: which has better ROI?
The College of Idaho has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,924 in 689.6 years versus not at all at College of Eastern Idaho, on median earnings of $48,473 vs $42,057 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Eastern Idaho | The College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,778 | $19,481 |
| Total net cost | $17,556 | $77,924 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,057 | $48,473 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $24,500 |
| Payback | — | 689.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$143,616 | -$75,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Eastern Idaho or The College of Idaho?
College of Eastern Idaho, at $8,778 a year after aid versus $19,481 — a gap of $10,703 a year, or $60,368 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of Eastern Idaho or The College of Idaho graduates earn more?
The College of Idaho graduates report a median $48,473 ten years after entry, $6,416 more than the $42,057 at College of Eastern 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, College of Eastern Idaho or The College of Idaho?
College of Eastern Idaho: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $24,500 at The College of Idaho, a difference of $12,500. 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 39% at College of Eastern 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.