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Idaho State University

#1333 in US ranking Pocatello, ID
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$21,499
Tuition & fees
$8,914
Avg. aid
$8,931
Receiving aid
95%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
39%
Median salary
$47,929
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Idaho State University?

Idaho State University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, or NWCCU. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole and is relevant to federal financial aid eligibility, although a student must still meet the applicable aid requirements.

Some professional programs hold separate, field-specific accreditation. For example, students considering pharmacy, nursing, business, or engineering should identify the accreditor for their specific degree and confirm its current status. Programmatic accreditation is distinct from NWCCU accreditation and can matter for professional licensing or certification. Accreditation also does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular course in transfer; the receiving institution makes that decision.

What are the admission requirements at Idaho State University?

First-year applicants generally apply to Idaho State University with evidence of high school completion or an accepted equivalent and their academic records. ISU reports an open-admission policy, but applicants should not interpret that as automatic entry into every major or professional program.

Requirements can differ for first-year, transfer, international, graduate, and technical-program applicants. A program may impose prerequisites, a minimum GPA, additional materials, or a separate selection process. Applicants educated outside the United States may also need to document English proficiency. SAT or ACT scores should not be assumed necessary for general admission without checking the policy for the applicant's category and intended program.

Students planning to apply should use ISU's admissions instructions for their entry term to confirm transcript submission, deadlines, and any program-level requirements. Earlier application can also matter for housing, scholarships, and selective programs even when general admission remains available.

What are the application fees and waivers at Idaho State University?

The reported undergraduate application fee for Idaho State University is $50. This is an application charge, not a tuition payment or a deposit toward enrollment.

Fees and waiver procedures may differ by applicant type or application route. An applicant who cannot afford the charge should ask Undergraduate Admissions about an available waiver before submitting payment and follow its documentation instructions. Graduate and professional applicants should check the fee attached to their specific application rather than assuming the undergraduate amount applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Idaho State University?

Army ROTC is available at Idaho State University through an on-campus unit. It combines college coursework with leadership and military training for students interested in a possible Army officer commission.

Joining an introductory ROTC course is not necessarily the same as accepting a scholarship or committing to military service. Contracting, scholarships, eligibility, and service obligations have separate rules that candidates should review with the Army ROTC unit before signing an agreement. Students interested in Air Force or Navy ROTC should verify any current cross-enrollment arrangement directly rather than assuming those branches operate on campus.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Idaho State University?

Idaho State University generally accepts transfer applications from students who have attended other accredited colleges. Transfer students may enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to the deadlines and availability of their intended program.

Applicants should arrange official transcripts from every college attended and follow ISU's instructions on any additional records. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of individual courses are separate decisions: ISU evaluates whether credits transfer, while the receiving department determines how they satisfy a particular degree. Prior learning options may also include eligible CLEP examinations and DSST credit, but their application to a major must be checked.

Before enrolling, transfer applicants can request an official credit evaluation and compare the result with their degree requirements. This is especially important in sequenced programs, where transferred credits may count toward graduation without replacing a required major course.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Idaho State University?

Idaho State University students can explore international study through the university's international education resources. Opportunities may include exchanges or approved programs run with outside partners, with choices and eligibility varying by term and major.

A student should obtain academic approval before committing to a program: an overseas course must be evaluated for how it will count toward the ISU degree. Students in tightly sequenced majors should also check whether a semester abroad would affect prerequisite or clinical schedules. Program charges, travel costs, scholarships, and the portability of financial aid require a separate budget review.

How to Apply to Idaho State University

Regular application deadline

August 1

Application fee

$50

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Idaho State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,480
Out-of-state: 134
International: 1

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,766
Transfer: 690

Idaho State University Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Open admission policy

Yes

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Idaho State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.