ISU vs. BYU-I

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Brigham Young University Idaho in Rexburg, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Brigham Young University Idaho is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (45,585 students vs. 13,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Brigham Young University Idaho is in Rexburg, ID (Distant Town setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Brigham Young University Idaho 22:1.

ISU vs. BYU-I Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or BYU-I? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Brigham Young University Idaho than ISU ($8,528 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University Idaho are 34.3% lower than at Idaho State University ($5,180 vs. $7,882).
• Idaho State University is 79.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU-I (about $3,810 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $4,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 477.5% higher at ISU than at Brigham Young University Idaho (about $22,920 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $4,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Brigham Young University Idaho (91% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 36.9% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University Idaho students ($9,217 vs. $6,733).

ISU vs. BYU-I Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or BYU-I? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BYU-I and ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBrigham Young University Idaho 970/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBrigham Young University Idaho 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; BYU-I - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BYU-I Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at BYU-I (3.34).

ISU vs. BYU-I Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and BYU-I? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Brigham Young University Idaho's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University Idaho graduates have a $11,950 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($11,000 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, BYU-I graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($113 vs. $237).
• More BYU-I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.