Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Idaho Falls, Idaho
College of Eastern Idaho — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,392Annual Cost
$42,057Grad Salary
26.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$8,728
Need-Based Aid
26.8% receive Pell
College of Eastern Idaho, founded in 1969, provides programs in nuclear operations technology, healthcare, and computer science. The campus includes a STEM center.
CEI is unranked but essential to eastern Idaho's workforce, particularly for the Idaho National Laboratory and regional healthcare systems.
College of Eastern Idaho Acceptance Rate
College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
College of Eastern Idaho Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
College of Eastern Idaho follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CEI reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at CEI
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of Eastern Idaho's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into CEI Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for College of Eastern Idaho is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CEI
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CEI provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Understand you're applying to Idaho's newest community college, born from a technical college
CEI only became a comprehensive community college in 2017, when Bonneville County voters approved a taxing district to convert the former Eastern Idaho Technical College - meaning its associate-degree transfer function (AA/AS degrees) is genuinely newer than its long-standing technical training programs. Ask specifically how long your intended AA/AS transfer pathway has been established versus a legacy technical certificate, since the two have very different institutional track records here.
Target the Health Physics Technologies program if you want a high-paying, under-the-radar credential
CEI's Health Physics Technologies program - closely tied to the region's nuclear industry presence (Idaho National Laboratory) - reports new graduate salaries between $69,451 and $81,000 and a 91.16% positive job placement rate over five years, despite being a lesser-known competitive-entry program. If you're weighing nursing against other health-adjacent fields, treat Health Physics as a serious, comparably lucrative option - apply by April 1 for fall entry, and note there's no waitlist, so you must reapply every year if not accepted.
Check whether you live inside CEI's actual taxing district before assuming standard tuition
CEI's community college district covers only Bonneville County (Bingham County voters explicitly rejected joining in November 2017), even though CEI serves a broader catchment area for enrollment purposes. If you live outside Bonneville County, confirm your specific tuition rate with the admissions office before enrolling, since district residency (not just being "local" to Idaho Falls) affects your cost.
Know that "competitive" at CEI includes Welding and Cyber Security, not just health programs
CEI explicitly lists Welding and Cyber Security alongside Health Physics, Registered Nursing, and Surgical Technology as competitive-entry programs requiring committee selection - a broader and less obvious set of gated programs than most community colleges apply this model to. If you're interested in either of these two technical fields, don't assume open admission applies; request that program's specific selection criteria from an admissions counselor before applying.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that CEI's Health Physics Technologies program has no waitlist - an applicant who isn't accepted must reapply from scratch the following year rather than being carried over, so a student assuming "close but not quite" this cycle means an automatic look next cycle will be surprised to find they need to submit an entirely new application.
CEI Profile
Full Name
College of Eastern Idaho (CEI)
City
Idaho Falls
State
Idaho
ZIP Code
83404-5788
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a CEI Degree Worth It?
Getting into CEI can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. CEI offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at CEI is $53,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.44%.
How much does a degree from CEI Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at College of Eastern Idaho is $13,392. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at College of Eastern Idaho is $8,728.
26.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 18.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to CEI and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At College of Eastern Idaho, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist CEI as your choice in the form.
How much does a CEI Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $42,057. An average CEI graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at CEI
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CEI Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $42,057 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $13,392 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
26.8% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.