The College of Idaho vs Northwest Nazarene University: which has better ROI?
Northwest Nazarene University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $118,320 in 35.2 years versus 689.6 years at The College of Idaho, on median earnings of $51,719 vs $48,473 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The College of Idaho | Northwest Nazarene University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,481 | $29,580 |
| Total net cost | $77,924 | $118,320 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,473 | $51,719 |
| Median debt | $24,500 | $23,750 |
| Payback | 689.6 yrs | 35.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$75,664 | -$51,140 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The College of Idaho or Northwest Nazarene University?
The College of Idaho, at $19,481 a year after aid versus $29,580 — a gap of $10,099 a year, or $40,396 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The College of Idaho or Northwest Nazarene University graduates earn more?
Northwest Nazarene University graduates report a median $51,719 ten years after entry, $3,246 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, The College of Idaho or Northwest Nazarene University?
Northwest Nazarene University: its completers carry a median $23,750 in federal loans versus $24,500 at The College of Idaho, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Northwest Nazarene University, against 63% at The College of 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.