Key takeaway: Our directory currently lists 13 schools serving Idaho students that offer at least one fully online program (IPEDS/College Scorecard data in our directory). Only 1 of these schools publishes an in-state tuition figure in our directory, and the median among that small group is $16,800 a year (IPEDS/College Scorecard data in our directory) – too small a sample to represent the broader market, so confirm current pricing directly with any school. Verify accreditation directly through the U.S. Department of Education’s DAPIP database before enrolling, and compare schools below, ranked by our independent BOC Score.
Studying online from Idaho does not mean giving up access to Idaho-based pricing, support, or licensure alignment. Many public universities that serve Idaho residents extend in-state tuition to online learners who meet residency requirements, even when coursework is delivered entirely off campus. Reviewing a school’s residency policy before enrolling can meaningfully change the total cost of a degree.
What studying online from Idaho means
Online programs based at public universities typically set tuition using the same in-state/out-of-state structure used for on-campus students. Among the schools in our directory that offer online programs to Idaho students, only 1 publishes an in-state tuition figure, with a median of $16,800 a year among that small group (IPEDS/College Scorecard data in our directory). That figure reflects published sticker tuition and does not include fees, books, or technology charges that can add to total cost. Because a smaller subset of schools publish this figure, treat it as directional rather than a full market average, and confirm current, individual pricing directly with any school under consideration.
Public institutions generally offer the lowest published tuition for Idaho residents, while private nonprofit and for-profit schools set tuition nationally regardless of where a student lives. Some public universities also extend in-state or reduced online tuition to out-of-state students through regional exchange programs or online-specific tuition rates, so it is worth asking directly whether a program qualifies.
Verifying accreditation before you apply
Accreditation status determines whether a school’s credits transfer and whether graduates meet the education requirements for many state licensing boards. Before applying to any online college serving Idaho, search the institution in the U.S. Department of Education’s DAPIP database to confirm it holds accreditation from an agency the Department recognizes. A school that is not listed, or whose accreditor is not on the Department’s recognized list, may leave students unable to transfer credits.
For programs tied to state licensure – nursing, education, counseling, and similar fields – also confirm the program itself (not just the institution) is recognized by the relevant Idaho licensing board, since institutional accreditation alone does not guarantee licensure eligibility.
How the list below is ranked
The schools listed below are ordered by our independently published BOC Score, which weighs affordability, outcomes data, and accreditation status rather than marketing claims or paid placement. Review the full methodology page for the exact factors and how they are weighted before comparing schools.
Accredited Online Colleges in Idaho
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Acceptance rate
84%
Graduation rate
72%
TuitionIn‑state$16,800
Out‑of‑state$16,800
Key stats
- Retention rate: 87%
- Programs offered: 4
Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
59%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$43,731
TuitionContact school for pricing
Source:Accreditor: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
35%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$40,916
Avg net price
$6,095/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 100%
- Programs offered: 75
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
58%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$42,057
Avg net price
$8,778/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
56%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$53,406
Avg net price
$8,221/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 70%
- Programs offered: 129
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
62%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$54,670
Avg net price
$14,831/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 75%
- Programs offered: 146
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
60%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$48,473
Avg net price
$19,481/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 79%
- Programs offered: 27
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
59%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$51,658
Avg net price
$21,610/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 78%
- Programs offered: 148
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
56%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$45,608
Avg net price
$12,193/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 73%
- Programs offered: 140
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
28%
Avg net price
$8,500/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Quick Answers
How many online colleges are available to students in Idaho?
Our directory currently lists 13 schools serving Idaho students that offer at least one fully online program (IPEDS/College Scorecard data in our directory).
Among the schools in our directory that offer online programs to Idaho students, only 1 publishes an in-state tuition figure, and the median among that small group is $16,800 a year (IPEDS/College Scorecard data in our directory). Because so few schools report this figure, treat it as directional rather than a full market average and confirm current pricing with individual schools.
How can I verify a school’s accreditation before enrolling in Idaho?
Search the school’s name in the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) at ope.ed.gov/dapip. A listing there confirms the accreditor is federally recognized, which many state licensing boards require.
How are the online colleges below ranked?
Schools are ordered by our independent BOC Score, a published methodology that weighs affordability, outcomes, and accreditation status. See the full methodology at /about/methodology/ for the exact factors and weights.
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