Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Caldwell, Idaho
47.2% Acceptance Rate
The College of Idaho — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
47.2%Acceptance Rate
1166Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$48,451Annual Cost
$48,473Grad Salary
24.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
47.2%
Avg SAT
1166
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1270
ACT Middle 50%
20–28
Need-Based Aid
24.1% receive Pell
The College of Idaho The College of Idaho, founded in 1891 in Caldwell, is the state's oldest private liberal arts college. Known for its distinctive PEAK curriculum allowing students to graduate with majors in four knowledge domains, the college offers personalized education with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The 50-acre campus features historic buildings alongside modern facilities like the Cruzen-Murray Library and the recently expanded Simplot Science Center. The college is particularly strong in environmental studies, pre-health professions, and business, with graduates achieving high medical school acceptance rates.
The College of Idaho takes pride in its outdoor program that utilizes Idaho's natural landscapes for experiential learning. Campus life includes NCAA Division II athletics and a vibrant arts scene at the Jewett Auditorium. The college's small size fosters close student-faculty relationships and undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines. Recent initiatives include the new Center for Creativity and Innovation. The College of Idaho's combination of academic rigor, beautiful setting, and innovative curriculum makes it a standout liberal arts institution in the Northwest.
The College of Idaho Acceptance Rate
At an acceptance rate of 47.2%, The College of Idaho rewards applicants who show real academic growth rather than a flawless transcript.
What C of I Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 47.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The College of Idaho Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The College of Idaho follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Action I
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
C of I 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.
Early Action I
November 15
Early Action II
January 15
Regular Decision
February 15
Rolling
February 16
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/15) 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.
Check Your Admission Chances at C of I
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on The College of Idaho's verified institutional data
--%
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.
The College of Idaho (C of I) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if C of I is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into C of I Without SAT or ACT?
C of I considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
The College of Idaho Average SAT Score: 1166
The average SAT score of admitted students at The College of Idaho is 1166 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1166 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? The College of Idaho allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1080, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at C of I. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 585 | 540 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1166 | 1080 | 1270 |
Below 1080, you're behind most admitted students; at 1270 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into The College of Idaho (C of I) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of C of I's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
The College of Idaho (C of I) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at C of I is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 28 |
Can I get into The College of Idaho with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of C of I's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at C of I.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for C of I
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
C of I rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Answer "why us" with something the rest of your file doesn't already show
The College of Idaho's supplemental essay is a direct "why us" prompt. Admissions explicitly wants something new - not a restatement of your activities list. Reference something concrete and specific: the new "Do More in Four" curriculum, a named program, or a specific faculty connection, not generic liberal-arts language.
Address the curriculum change directly if you're citing PEAK
Starting the 2025-2026 academic year, the College replaced its long-running PEAK curriculum (major + 3 minors) with "Do More in Four" - four-credit courses, a four-day class week, and the option to earn a bachelor's and master's in four years. If your essay research turns up PEAK, that's now outdated messaging; refer to "Do More in Four" and "Focused Fridays" instead to show current knowledge.
Decide on test scores using the real submission split
Only about 41% of admitted students submit SAT and 11% submit ACT - it's genuinely test-optional in practice, not just on paper. If your scores are below the middle-50% range (SAT 1070-1280 / ACT 23-31), skip submission; if above, submit to strengthen a moderately selective (about 49% acceptance) file.
Use Focused Fridays as a talking point for your specific interests
The new curriculum frees up every Friday for research, internships, music, or language practice instead of class. If you have a specific pursuit - a research interest, an instrument, a language - mention how you'd use that open day; it shows you understand the structural difference this school offers over a standard five-day schedule.
Expert Insight:
A lot of recycled essay-prep content and forum advice about College of Idaho still describes the old PEAK curriculum's "one major, three minors" structure - citing that in your essay now signals outdated research rather than genuine interest, since the College actively rebranded away from it in 2025.
C of I Profile
Full Name
The College of Idaho (C of I)
City
Caldwell
State
Idaho
ZIP Code
83605-4432
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a C of I Degree Worth It?
Whether C of I 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.
The average household income among admitted students is $57,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.61%.
How much does a degree from C of I Cost?
The sticker price is $48,451/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
24.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 51.5% take federal loans at C of I. File your FAFSA early and list C of I as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a C of I Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $48,473. That's about 19% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The College of Idaho. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The College of Idaho. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | 1157 | 24 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 1165 | 25 |
| Quincy University | Quincy, IL | 1157 | 23 |
| Ball State University | Muncie, IN | 1172 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The College of Idaho. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
Degree Programs at C of I
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About C of I Admissions
Median earnings for The College of Idaho graduates sit around $48,473 a year.
The College of Idaho costs roughly $48,451 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
The College of Idaho's Pell Grant rate of 24.1% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 47.2%, The College of Idaho's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
A strong SAT score matters at The College of Idaho — aim above 1166, ideally within the 1080–1270 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for The College of Idaho is November 15 for Early Action I applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.