C of I vs. EWU

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Idaho in Caldwell, ID with Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Washington University is larger than C of I based on total student enrollment (10,492 students vs. 1,090 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, ID (Small Suburban setting); Eastern Washington University is in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting).
• The College of Idaho is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Idaho 10:1; Eastern Washington University 18:1.

C of I vs. EWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, C of I or EWU? 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 Eastern Washington University than C of I ($14,767 vs. $21,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Idaho are 18% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($12,773 vs. $15,574).
• The College of Idaho is 340.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $29,259 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at C of I than at Eastern Washington University (about $11,886 more per year; $37,845.00 vs. $25,959.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Idaho than at Eastern Washington University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Idaho students is 191.1% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($29,110 vs. $10,001).

C of I vs. EWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, C of I or EWU? 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 EWU and C of I.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of Idaho (1180) is 190 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming C of I students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 1070/1280; Eastern Washington University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of Idaho 23/31; Eastern Washington University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: C of I - Test optional; EWU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: C of I Feb 15, 2027; EWU Sep 10, 2026.
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than C of I (49.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at C of I vs. 22.7% at EWU.

C of I vs. EWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for C of I and EWU? 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).

• The College of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Eastern Washington University's (46%).
• Graduates from The College of Idaho earn a median of about $400 more per year than EWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Washington University graduates have a $5,177 lower median loan debt than C of I graduates ($20,818 vs. $25,995).
• Among borrowers, EWU graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than C of I graduates ($215 vs. $268).
• More C of I graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 60%)

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.