The College of Idaho

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit institution founded in 1891
• Currently accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Small-campus model with an institution-reported 10-to-1 student-faculty ratio
• Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral-level study are represented in current offerings

Student Life & Environment

The Caldwell campus is designed around residential participation. The College states that unmarried students without dependent children must live in campus housing for three years, or six semesters. Students with dependent children are exempt, and other students may seek a waiver through the petition process. Incoming residents complete a Community Living Agreement after paying their enrollment deposit. Housing includes seven residence halls with traditional corridor rooms and suite-style arrangements. Available configurations include single, double, triple, and quad rooms, while some suites combine multiple bedrooms with a shared kitchenette. Because housing type and price differ, students should review the current room-selection and meal-plan information rather than assuming the average double-room allowance represents every option. Outside class, official student-life materials identify student organizations, club and intramural sports, performing arts, Greek life, student government, student media, and academic organizations. Support resources include health and counseling services, accessibility services, campus safety, basic-needs assistance, faith communities, intercultural engagement, and career and graduate-school guidance. Varsity athletics and performing arts are visible parts of campus life, but participation requirements and schedules vary. The three-year residency rule is especially important when comparing the College with institutions offering more flexibility to live off campus.

Location & Surroundings

The College’s campus is at 2112 Cleveland Boulevard in Caldwell, Idaho, in the Treasure Valley of southwest Idaho. It sits next to Caldwell’s historic district and is approximately 30 minutes northwest of Boise according to the College. This gives students a residential, smaller-city base with access to the cultural, employment, and transportation resources of Idaho’s largest metropolitan area. Caldwell and the surrounding Treasure Valley offer restaurants, community events, agriculture, and a regional wine industry. Boise adds museums, performing arts, dining, minor-league sports, government, and a broader employer base. Students considering internships or frequent off-campus work should investigate transport options and travel time rather than treating Boise as immediately adjacent to campus. The wider region provides access to hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, skiing, and snowboarding. Those opportunities generally require travel and suitable equipment, so they are best understood as regional advantages rather than on-campus amenities. Prospective students should also consider southwest Idaho’s seasonal weather and the practical value of a car for exploring beyond Caldwell.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For full-time undergraduates in 2026–2027, the College publishes annual direct costs of $54,350. This consists of $39,320 in tuition, a $370 one-time new-student experience fee, $1,355 in additional fees, $7,430 for Meal Plan B, and $5,785 as an average on-campus double-room charge. Published indirect allowances total $6,012, including health insurance, books and supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and loan fees. Individual spending and housing choices can differ, and students with comparable health coverage should verify whether they may waive the College’s insurance charge. Applicants should compare net price rather than the sticker price. The College says all admitted undergraduates are considered for merit- and talent-based scholarships, while FAFSA information is used to determine need-based support. Aid packages may combine scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Eligibility and renewal conditions differ, so students should review the actual award letter and calculate all four years, including housing and meal requirements. Career preparation is embedded partly through internships, research, community-engaged learning, study away, and other applied experiences. Academic advising includes degree planning and career advice, while student services provide career and graduate-school guidance. Campus employment may be available through work-study or other student positions, with opportunities posted through Handshake. No sufficiently current, independently verified salary or placement figure was found, so applicants should ask for program-specific internship access, graduate-school outcomes, and employment data rather than relying on general institutional claims.