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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Idaho
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Idaho? We have ranked 34 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Trade College reviewed 8 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Idaho
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best-value Trade school in Idaho. Set in Rexburg, ID, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $13,287. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,406. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Idaho
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Idaho Technical College one of the best values in Idaho. Set in Idaho Falls, ID, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $6,750. Eastern Idaho Technical College Trade students take on a median of $17,066 in debt. Eastern Idaho Technical College alumni report median earnings of $42,057 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Eastern Idaho Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Idaho College earned it the #3 place in Idaho. North Idaho College is a public school based in Coeur d'Alene, ID. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete their Trade program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,081. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. See the full North Idaho College profile
You'll get strong value at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Nampa, ID. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. The median Trade program debt is $12,497. See the full College Of Western Idaho profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #5 place in Idaho. Set in Twin Falls, ID, College Of Southern Idaho is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. College Of Southern Idaho Trade students take on a median of $11,175 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,916 ten years after entry. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full College Of Southern Idaho report
Lewis Clark State College placed #6 among the best-value Trade schools in Idaho. Lewis Clark State College is a public school based in Lewiston, ID. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Lewis Clark State College Trade students take on a median of $23,781 in debt. Median earnings reach $46,001 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis Clark State College has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read the full report on Lewis Clark State College
Boise State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Boise State University is a public school based in Boise, ID. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,658. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Boise State University report
Idaho State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Pocatello, ID, Idaho State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $24,640. Idaho State University alumni report median earnings of $45,608 a decade after entry. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Idaho State University profile
Aveda Institute Twin Falls ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Aveda Institute Twin Falls
College Of Massage Therapy offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Read more about College Of Massage Therapy
Premiere Aesthetics Institute Meridian came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. More on Premiere Aesthetics Institute Meridian
D And L Academy Of Hair Design placed #12 among the best-value Trade schools in Idaho. See the full D And L Academy Of Hair Design profile
Aveda Institute Boise offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. See the full Aveda Institute Boise profile
Boise Barber College placed #14 among the best-value Trade schools in Idaho. Read more about Boise Barber College
Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Oliver Finley Academy Of Cosmetology report
Provo College Idaho Falls Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Read more about Provo College Idaho Falls Campus
University Of Idaho came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Idaho profile
Eagle Gate College Boise Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Eagle Gate College Boise Campus
New Saint Andrews College placed #19 among the best-value Trade schools in Idaho. See the full New Saint Andrews College profile
Headmasters School Of Hair Design placed #20 among the best-value Trade schools in Idaho. More on Headmasters School Of Hair Design
Rexburg College Of Massage Therapy offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. More on Rexburg College Of Massage Therapy
Austin Kade Academy came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Austin Kade Academy report
Paul Mitchell The School Boise landed the #23 spot for value in Idaho this year. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Boise report
Idaho College Of Osteopathic Medicine landed the #24 spot for value in Idaho this year. See the full Idaho College Of Osteopathic Medicine profile
Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Rexburg
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Idaho
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Carrington College Boise offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Carrington College Boise
Boise Bible College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Boise Bible College
Paul Mitchell The School Nampa ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Paul Mitchell The School Nampa
The Salon Professional Academy Nampa placed #29 among the best-value Trade schools in Idaho. Read the full report on The Salon Professional Academy Nampa
Northwest Nazarene University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Northwest Nazarene University
The College Of Idaho ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full The College Of Idaho profile
Cosmetology School Of Arts And Science Llc came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Cosmetology School Of Arts And Science Llc
Elevate Salon Institute Chubbuck offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Elevate Salon Institute Chubbuck profile
Evans Hairstyling College Rexburg landed the #34 spot for value in Idaho this year. More on Evans Hairstyling College Rexburg
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 8 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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