Idaho has a small number of BSN programmes, but they range from a large public university in Boise to faith-based colleges with high graduation rates. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine you live in Idaho and want a nursing degree without leaving the state. Your choice might come down to a private Christian college in Nampa, the state’s biggest university in Boise, or a church-run campus in Rexburg. The numbers below show how they compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Idaho that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Idaho nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa | Private nonprofit | 65% | 44 | $78,274 | $41,990 |
| 2 | Boise State University | Boise | Public | 61% | 389 | $87,996 | $9,364 |
| 3 | Brigham Young University-Idaho | Rexburg | Private nonprofit | 54% | 159 | $67,968 | $4,944 |
| 4 | Idaho State University | Pocatello | Public | 40% | 144 | $74,487 | $8,914 |
| 5 | Lewis-Clark State College | Lewiston | Public | 40% | 185 | $85,898 | $7,876 |
Also offering a BSN in Idaho (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Gate College-Boise Campus | Boise | Private for-profit | n/a | 60 | $70,599 | $19,506 |
| Provo College-Idaho Falls Campus | Idaho Falls | Private for-profit | n/a | 57 | $64,935 | $19,506 |
Top Idaho nursing schools reviewed
1. Northwest Nazarene University
Northwest Nazarene University is a private Christian university in Nampa, near Boise, with a nursing programme that tops our Idaho list for graduation rate.
- Graduation rate: 65%, number 1 in Idaho on our list
- Programme size: about 44 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $78,274 one year after graduating
- Cost: $41,990 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 65%
2. Boise State University
Boise State University’s School of Nursing is one of the largest in the region, with strong clinical links in the Treasure Valley and low in-state tuition.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 2 in Idaho on our list
- Programme size: about 389 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, one of the largest in the state
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $87,996 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,364 in-state tuition ($28,478 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 87%
3. Brigham Young University-Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg, run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers a large, low-cost nursing programme, with especially low tuition for church members.
- Graduation rate: 54%, number 3 in Idaho on our list
- Programme size: about 159 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $67,968 one year after graduating
- Cost: $4,944 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 96%
4. Idaho State University
Idaho State University in Pocatello is a major health sciences university in eastern Idaho, offering a public BSN with access to rural and regional clinical sites.
- Graduation rate: 40%, number 4 in Idaho on our list
- Programme size: about 144 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $74,487 one year after graduating
- Cost: $8,914 in-state tuition ($28,240 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: open or not reported
5. Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston is a smaller public college in north-central Idaho, with a nursing programme known for its practical, hands-on focus.
- Graduation rate: 40%, number 5 in Idaho on our list
- Programme size: about 185 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $85,898 one year after graduating
- Cost: $7,876 in-state tuition ($22,798 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 88%
Ways to become a registered nurse in Idaho
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Idaho Board of Nursing. Idaho is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Idaho offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 7 colleges in Idaho produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,038 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Idaho nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Northwest Nazarene University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 65%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Idaho?
Boise State University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 389 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Idaho?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $64,935 to $87,996, with a typical (median) figure of about $74,487. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Idaho?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $7,876 to $9,364 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Idaho Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Idaho Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Idaho Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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