ISU vs. SKC

Comparable Facts

Compare Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID with Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than SKC based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 671 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting); Salish Kootenai College is in Pablo, MT (Distant Rural setting).
• Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salish Kootenai College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Idaho State University 14:1; Salish Kootenai College 6:1.

ISU vs. SKC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or SKC? 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 Salish Kootenai College than ISU ($6,771 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salish Kootenai College are 10.9% lower than at Idaho State University ($7,020 vs. $7,882).
• Idaho State University is 34.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SKC (about $2,211 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $6,399.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.3% higher at ISU than at Salish Kootenai College (about $16,137 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $11,583.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Salish Kootenai College (91% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 39.2% larger than aid received by Salish Kootenai College students ($9,217 vs. $6,621).

ISU vs. SKC Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Open admission; SKC - Open admission.

ISU vs. SKC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and SKC? 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).

• Salish Kootenai College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than SKC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salish Kootenai College graduates have a $10,478 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($12,472 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, SKC graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($128 vs. $237).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SKC students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 36%)

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.