Idaho State University ranks in the top 15 nationally among lowest-cost public universities with high starting salaries

POCATELLO — Idaho State University ranks as the 15^th lowest-cost public university with high starting salaries, according to a national survey of 4,000 colleges and universities.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org (ACO) has released a unique new list of 60 low-cost colleges with graduates who earn high starting salaries. To compile its list, ACO reviewed four-year, fully-accredited public institutions with in-state tuition of less than $5,000 per year (not including fees), and with average starting salaries for graduates of more than $40,000 per year. The website also looked at mid-career salary averages as well as the overall return on investment for the degree.

"These findings clearly validate that an ISU education, while low-cost, pays off in a big way with high starting salaries in a number of fields and disciplines," said Laura Woodworth-Ney, incoming provost and vice president of academic affairs at Idaho State University. "Clearly education is an investment that pays large dividends during a graduate’s lifetime."

Colleges in the list meet the following criteria:

•  Four-year public U.S. colleges

• Tuition less than $5,000 per year (most recent IPEDS tuition data)

•  Fully accredited

•   Average starting salary upon graduation of more than $40,000 per year

"This recognition by "Affordable Colleges Online" matches the messages that ISU admissions staff and others across campus have been sharing with prospective students and parents – ISU provides an excellent education and experience for an affordable price,” said Matt Kroeger, director of admissions at Idaho State University.

"In this climate of soaring higher education costs, prospective students should know that it’s quite possible to obtain a great education that lands them a well-paying job, but at a very affordable price," says ACO founder Dan Schuessler. "With a total tuition investment of about $20,000, graduates from these schools leave with the skills and education needed to earn high starting salaries in great careers."

Two other Idaho institutions made the list. University of Idaho was ranked 25^th and Boise State University was ranked 41st.

ACO compiled a list of schools meeting these criteria using data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education, Carnegie Classification and Payscale.com.  

AffordableCollegesOnline.org provides prospective college students and their parents with information and resources to help them manage the cost of obtaining an education.

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