Public Higher Education

Reach for Higher Ground

The role of Idaho’s public higher education institutions is to provide a wide variety of educational, training, research, continuing education and service programs to meet the personal and professional needs of Idaho citizens and employers.

A senior in cap and gown holding a banner.
Higher Education - Public

Students have a variety of high quality public universities and colleges to choose from in Idaho.

The board encourages you to thoroughly utilize resources on the Next Steps Idaho website to prepare for and apply to college. Select resources are included below and in the sidebar for your convenience.

Institution Information and Applications

Idaho Residency for Tuition Purposes

Boise State University, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College

Residency is determined at the time of application to an Idaho postsecondary institution and is based on information provided through the student’s application for admission. Applicants may apply either online via the institutions’ websites or through the Idaho Common Application for Undergraduate Admission.

The Residency Determination Worksheet is used to appeal a residency determination or to apply for certification of residency for specialty graduate and professional programs –including the WWAMI regional medical program, Idaho dental education program, the University of Utah School of Medicine, and the Washington-Idaho regional program in veterinary medicine.

There are several different pathways to determine Idaho residency. It is only necessary to prove residency through one pathway, not all of them. For more information on the pathways review the documents linked below:

The statutory and regulatory provisions relevant to residency determinations may be found via the following links:

Idaho Native American Indian Tribes and Residency

Pursuant to section 33-3713B, Idaho code, a student who is a member of an Idaho Native American Indian tribe, whose traditional and customary tribal boundaries included portions of the state of Idaho, or whose tribe was granted reserved lands within the state of Idaho are eligible for resident tuition at public institutions of higher education in Idaho. The following tribes have been determined to have had traditional and/or customary tribal boundaries in whole or in part in the state Idaho, or they have been granted reserved lands within the state of Idaho:

  • Coeur d’Alene Tribe
  • Eastern Shoshone Tribe
  • Kootenai Tribe
  • Nez Perce Tribe
  • Shoshone-Paiute Tribes
  • Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
  • Northwestern Shoshone

Institution Roles and Missions

Institution Roles and Missions

The State Board of Education envisions an accessible, seamless public education system that results in a highly educated citizenry.

Public College & University Transfer Guides

Public College & University Transfer Guides

The SBOE recognizes the eligibility for transfer of credits from any institution whose regional or national accrediting agency is recognized by the USDE and CHEA.

Tuition Exchange Agreements

Tuition Exchange Agreements
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is comprised of 15 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Medical Specialty Programs

Medical Specialty Programs

In some specialized fields of study, Idaho has too few students to warrant the establishment of expensive programs. In order to provide Idahoans a full range of educational programs at a reasonable cost, the state has established programs in cooperation with other states in the areas of medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry.

Academic Program & Staff Development

Academic Program & Staff Development
Academic program and staff development aims to enhance and support excellence in academic practice at Idaho postsecondary institutions across leadership, professional skills, research and teaching.

Internal Audit and Advisory Services (IAAS)

Internal Audit and Advisory Services (IAAS)
Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.