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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Idaho

6 Colleges in the United States
$18,030 Avg Student Debt
$47,733 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Studies Badge [General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Idaho

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Studies Schools

1

Leading the list is College Of Southern Idaho, our #1 best value for general studies in Idaho. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $8,603 median debt.

2

Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,289. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,104. That is a strong return on a $9,289 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

3
North Idaho College crest
North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at North Idaho College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,114 in student loans. General Studies graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $27,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,114 median debt.

4

University Of Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,209. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $33,620. That is a strong return on a $26,209 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Idaho State University one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,966. General Studies graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $29,433 early in their careers. Set against $26,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Northwest Nazarene University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,824 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,923. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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