Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Pocatello, Idaho
Idaho State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.41Avg GPA
$21,084Annual Cost
$45,608Grad Salary
26.8%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.41
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
$17,324
Need-Based Aid
26.8% receive Pell
Idaho State University serves eastern Idaho with strong health science programs. Founded in 1901, ISU features the Meridian Health Science Center.
The university excels in pharmacy and nuclear engineering programs. ISU's 'Idaho Accelerated Nursing' is highly competitive.
Idaho State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Idaho State University is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.41 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.21 – 3.40
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.96
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Idaho State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Idaho State University 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
ISU 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.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority Scholarship: 2026/02/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
ISU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at ISU is 3.41. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.11–3.41 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.61–3.81.ISU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.41 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.21 – 3.40
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.01 – 3.20
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.00
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General ISU undergraduate admission is open-admission with roughly 100% acceptance; a $50 application fee applies, and ACT/SAT scores are currently waived for admission (still used for scholarships/placement).
- ROAR Rx Early Assurance reserves a PharmD seat (as available), guarantees campus choice, and includes a PharmCAS application fee discount for enrolled pre-pharmacy students.
- PharmD enrolls only 55 new students per year despite the university's open undergraduate admission policy.
- ISU is Idaho's state-designated lead institution in health professions, home to more than 75% of Idaho's health degree programs - a structural distinction from typical regional public universities.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at ISU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Idaho State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
Idaho State University (ISU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at ISU — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into ISU Without SAT or ACT?
ISU's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ISU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into ISU is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Enroll in ROAR Rx Early Assurance as early in pre-pharmacy coursework as possible
ISU's College of Pharmacy offers ROAR Rx, an Early Assurance Program open to any U.S. college student from those just beginning pre-pharmacy requirements through those with one year left - successful participants get a reserved seat in the PharmD program (as space allows) plus guaranteed campus choice. If pharmacy is your goal, enrolling in ROAR Rx during your first year removes most of the competitive uncertainty years before you'd otherwise apply.
Protect your pre-pharmacy GPA at the course level, not just the aggregate
Both ROAR Rx and standard PharmD admission require a 2.5 minimum pre-pharmacy GPA with a grade of C (C- under PharmCAS) or better in every required pre-pharmacy course - a single low grade in a required science course can disqualify you even if your overall GPA looks fine. Audit your pre-pharmacy-specific GPA separately each term rather than relying on your general transcript GPA.
Apply through PharmCAS as early in the cycle as possible to secure your preferred campus
ISU's PharmD program is delivered across three locations - Pocatello, Meridian (near Boise), and Anchorage, Alaska - and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they're completed and verified (application opens late July, priority deadline December 1, final deadline April 1). Early applicants get first pick of campus location, so timing affects more than admission odds - it affects where you'll actually live for four years.
Redirect your competitive energy away from general ISU admission, which isn't the real gate
ISU's general undergraduate admission accepts nearly all qualified applicants (with ACT/SAT currently waived even for placement purposes) - the actual selection bottleneck is the PharmD program itself, which accepts only 55 new students per year from a large applicant pool. Don't spend disproportionate effort on the easy undergraduate application; spend it on pharmacy shadowing experience and your PharmCAS materials instead.
Expert Insight:
Because ISU's general admission is so accessible, students sometimes assume the PharmD program will be similarly easy - it isn't. The pre-pharmacy GPA floor is deceptively low (2.5), which means many applicants clear it comfortably and then discover the real differentiation happens through pharmacy experience, interview performance, and how early they applied for campus placement, not GPA alone.
ISU Profile
Full Name
Idaho State University (ISU)
City
Pocatello
State
Idaho
ZIP Code
83209
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a ISU Degree Worth It?
Whether ISU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $52,500, and graduates see a 3.9% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from ISU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $21,084/year at ISU; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $17,324.
At ISU, 26.8% receive a Pell Grant and 24.8% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming ISU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a ISU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, ISU graduates report a median income of $45,608, about 12% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at ISU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About ISU Admissions
Idaho State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $45,608/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Idaho State University is relatively affordable, around $21,084/year.
26.8% of Idaho State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The average GPA of admitted Idaho State University students is 3.41, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.11 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Idaho State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.01 or below makes admission tougher at Idaho State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Idaho State University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority Scholarship: 2026/02/15 — that's Idaho State University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.