ISU vs. EOU

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than EOU based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 2,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Eastern Oregon University is in La Grande, OR (Remote Town setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Eastern Oregon University 14:1.

ISU vs. EOU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or EOU? 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 Idaho State University than EOU ($12,174 vs. $18,125).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 33.1% lower than at Eastern Oregon University ($7,882 vs. $11,787).
• Eastern Oregon University is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $2,466 more per year; $11,076.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at ISU than at Eastern Oregon University (about $2,289 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $25,431.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Oregon University than at Idaho State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Eastern Oregon University students ($9,217 vs. $8,404).

ISU vs. EOU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or EOU? 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 EOU and ISU.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; EOU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: EOU Sep 10, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EOU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at ISU (3.41).

ISU vs. EOU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and EOU? 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).

• Eastern Oregon University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than EOU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Oregon University graduates have a $111 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,839 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, EOU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($236 vs. $237).
• More EOU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.