North Idaho College 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 North Idaho College, on median earnings of $48,473 vs $40,081 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Idaho College | The College of Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,575 | $19,481 |
| Total net cost | $21,150 | $77,924 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,081 | $48,473 |
| Median debt | $9,000 | $24,500 |
| Payback | — | 689.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$186,730 | -$75,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Idaho College or The College of Idaho?
North Idaho College, at $10,575 a year after aid versus $19,481 — a gap of $8,906 a year, or $56,774 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do North Idaho College or The College of Idaho graduates earn more?
The College of Idaho graduates report a median $48,473 ten years after entry, $8,392 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, North Idaho College or The College of Idaho?
North Idaho College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $24,500 at The College of Idaho, a difference of $15,500. 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 38% at North Idaho College. 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.