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Best Community Colleges in Boise: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 18, 2026

Compare Boise community colleges with real tuition, earnings, and program data.

Why Community College in Boise?

Boise's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path (2 years at CC, 2 at university) can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.

Community Colleges in Boise

College of Western Idaho (Nampa)

Tuition: $3,336/year | Enrollment: 5,898 | 6-year earnings: $35,528

Nursing ADN graduates earn $63,975/year.

Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston)

Tuition: $7,388/year | Enrollment: 2,277 | 6-year earnings: $42,133

Nursing ADN graduates earn $71,617/year.

College of Eastern Idaho (Idaho Falls)

Tuition: $3,390/year | Enrollment: 1,396 | 6-year earnings: $37,934

Nursing ADN graduates earn $65,354/year.

Carrington College-Boise (Boise)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 433 | 6-year earnings: $37,283

Nursing ADN graduates earn $68,711/year.

Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology (Boise)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 276 | 6-year earnings: $24,008

Paul Mitchell the School-Boise (Boise)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 179 | 6-year earnings: $22,004

Austin Kade Academy (Idaho Falls)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 116 | 6-year earnings: $20,622

Paul Mitchell the School-Nampa (Nampa)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 107 | 6-year earnings: $22,004

How to Choose

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest tuition	College of Western Idaho ($3,336/yr)
Best earnings outcome	Lewis-Clark State College ($42,133 at 6yrs)
Nursing	Check which schools offer ADN programs with clinical rotations
Transfer	Look for schools with articulation agreements to your target university

Transfer Pathways

Check with your target university for specific transfer agreements. Most Idaho public universities accept credits from in-state community colleges through statewide articulation agreements. Complete your general education core at a CC and transfer as a junior to save significantly on your bachelor's degree.

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often exceeds full CC tuition
Idaho state grants — check your state's financial aid office for resident programs
Institutional scholarships — many CCs offer merit and need-based scholarships
Workforce development grants — available for high-demand programs like nursing and skilled trades

Next Steps

Compare Boise community colleges on GradeToGrad — see tuition, programs, and transfer rates.