College of Southern Idaho vs North Idaho College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Southern Idaho comes closer — median earnings $40,916 against a $12,190 total, vs $40,081 at North Idaho College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Southern Idaho | North Idaho College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,095 | $10,575 |
| Total net cost | $12,190 | $21,150 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,916 | $40,081 |
| Median debt | $8,000 | $9,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$161,070 | -$186,730 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Southern Idaho or North Idaho College?
College of Southern Idaho, at $6,095 a year after aid versus $10,575 — a gap of $4,480 a year, or $8,960 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 Southern Idaho or North Idaho College graduates earn more?
College of Southern Idaho graduates report a median $40,916 ten years after entry, $835 more than the $40,081 at North Idaho College. 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 Southern Idaho or North Idaho College?
College of Southern Idaho: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $9,000 at North Idaho College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
38% of students finish at North Idaho College, against 33% at College of Southern 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.