ISU vs. NNU

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than NNU based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Northwest Nazarene University is in Nampa, ID (Small City setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Northwest Nazarene University 14:1.

ISU vs. NNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or NNU? 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 NNU ($12,174 vs. $30,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 34.7% lower than at Northwest Nazarene University ($7,882 vs. $12,070).
• Northwest Nazarene University is 373.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $32,184 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.2% higher at NNU than at Idaho State University (about $13,074 more per year; $40,794.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Nazarene University than at Idaho State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students is 172.8% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($25,146 vs. $9,217).

ISU vs. NNU Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthwest Nazarene University 1005/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthwest Nazarene University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; NNU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: NNU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NNU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at ISU (3.41).

ISU vs. NNU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and NNU? 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).

• Northwest Nazarene University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of about $700 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Idaho State University graduates have a $3,050 lower median loan debt than NNU graduates ($22,950 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NNU graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More NNU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.