Idaho Nursing Schools And Programs

Idaho is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and demand for nurses has grown with it. This guide covers Idaho's nursing programs, what licensure requires, and what nurses earn.

Nursing Schools in Idaho

Seven accredited programs, from BSN to practical nursing:

Boise State offers a BSN onsite in Boise, completed as a cohort over five semesters with coursework in health assessment and nursing across health and illness. Clinicals run at an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, students use a full simulation center, and first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates beat the national average.

• Program: BSN
• Type: Public
• Campus: Boise
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $8,060 per year for residents; $24,980 per year out of state
• Admission: 2.5 cumulative college GPA and pre-nursing courses at a minimum C grade
• Time to complete: 5 semesters
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 88.7% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $65,621 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

The College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls offers a practical nursing program for CNAs, with graduates qualifying to sit for the NCLEX-PN. The curriculum blends theory with more than 300 supervised clinical hours, and two RN-level courses let students bridge into the RN program.

• Program: Practical nursing, intermediate technical certificate
• Type: Public
• Campus: Idaho Falls
• Admission: TEAS scores, prerequisite courses, current CNA certification
• Time to complete: 12 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 92.7% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $57,318 for associate graduates (College Scorecard)

The College of Western Idaho's associate of science in nursing prepares students for the NCLEX-RN over 36 months, mixing theory and lab work. Coursework covers global health, anatomy and physiology, and nursing specialties, with a dedicated course and lab in advanced medical-surgical nursing.

• Program: Associate of science in nursing
• Type: Public
• Campus: Nampa, Idaho
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $139 per credit for residents; $306 per credit out of state
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, Kaplan nursing admissions exam score, prerequisite coursework
• Time to complete: 36 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 96.6% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $58,943 for associate graduates (College Scorecard)

The College of Southern Idaho offers a 73-credit associate of science in nursing that requires current CNA certification to enroll and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. Coursework covers nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal-newborn and pediatric nursing, with clinicals in an onsite simulation lab and at outside healthcare settings.

• Program: Associate of science in nursing
• Type: Public
• Campus: Twin Falls
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $140-$190 per credit for residents; $285 per credit out of state
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, ATI TEAS scores, CNA certification
• Time to complete: 24 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 81.1% first-time

North Idaho College offers an ADN built as a transfer curriculum into RN-to-BSN programs at Idaho's public colleges. The 68-to-70-credit program trains students in community health, medical-surgical, and psychiatric mental health nursing, with clinicals at a range of healthcare agencies.

• Program: Associate degree in nursing
• Type: Public
• Campus: Coeur d'Alene
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $141-$215 per credit for residents; $364 per credit out of state
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, 3.0 GPA minimum, ATI TEAS scores
• Time to complete: 24 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes

Lewis-Clark State College runs a BSN with four tracks: BSN basic, LPN-to-BSN, CC-to-BSN, and online RN-to-BSN. RNs can finish the RN-to-BSN in as few as nine months, with advanced training in population health and transcultural healthcare and a focus on professional role development and leadership.

• Program: BSN (basic, LPN-to-BSN, CC-to-BSN, online RN-to-BSN)
• Type: Public
• Campus: Lewiston
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: RN-to-BSN: $365 per credit
• Admission: RN-to-BSN: 2.5 cumulative GPA, prerequisites, RN license; LPN-to-BSN: 2.5 cumulative GPA, prerequisites, practical/vocational nursing license
• Time to complete: RN-to-BSN: 9 months; LPN-to-BSN: four semesters
• Onsite requirement: Yes, except online RN-to-BSN
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95.7% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $65,131 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Idaho State University offers an ADN for licensed practical nurses, with training in family, mental health, community, and medical-surgical nursing. The program mixes distance learning with onsite intensives and labs and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN.

• Program: Associate degree registered nurse
• Type: Public
• Campus: Pocatello, Idaho
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $21,456 total program tuition
• Admission: High school diploma or equivalent, prerequisite courses, 2.5 cumulative GPA, Idaho LPN license
• Time to complete: 24 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 87.5% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $58,303 for associate graduates (College Scorecard)

Choosing a Program

Decide between a two-year and a four-year degree, then weigh cost, financial aid, and the NCLEX-RN pass rate, which signals how well a program prepares graduates. Acceptance and graduation rates matter too. If you study online, confirm the program can arrange clinical placement in your community. This guide lists only accredited programs because accreditation drives both program quality and your career prospects.

Why Nurse in Idaho

Idaho's rapid population growth, much of it from California, Oregon, and Washington residents seeking lower housing costs, keeps demand for nurses high. The state grants new graduates a temporary license so they can start work right away. Idaho is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license earned here lets you practice across the more than 40 participating states and jurisdictions.

Salary and Job Outlook

Idaho RNs earn a mean of about $83,090 a year, below the national median of $93,600 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024). Nurse practitioners in Idaho also run below the national NP median of $129,210. The cost of living is shifting with the population boom; at roughly 102 on the index, it sits slightly above the national baseline of 100. RN and especially NP employment are projected to grow faster in Idaho than nationally over the coming decade. Boise leads the state for pay and is the fastest-growing metro.

Getting Licensed in Idaho

Idaho requires RNs to graduate with at least an ADN and APRNs to hold a master's, pass the relevant national exam, and clear a criminal background check.

RN. Graduate from a state-approved program in Idaho or another state with an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and clear a background check. Apply on the state board of nursing website. The fee, including fingerprint background check, is $118.25 for licensure by examination and $138.25 by endorsement. Renewal requires either 100 practice hours in the last two years or a current specialty certification, plus at least 15 contact hours of continuing education or equivalent teaching hours.

APRN. You need an MSN or DNP, board certification in your specialty, and a current unencumbered RN license, plus a background check (waived if you submitted one in the last six months). The fee is $118.25. Idaho APRNs have full practice authority. Unlike most states, Idaho requires peer review as part of biennial renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take? About two years for an ADN, four for a BSN. Idaho processes licenses fast: once the board has your completed paperwork, you typically hear back within five business days.

What do you need for an RN license? An ADN or BSN, a passing NCLEX-RN score, and a clean background check. A multistate compact license also lets you practice in Idaho.

How often do you renew? Every two years for both RNs and APRNs. You need continuing education plus either 100 practice hours or a specialty certification, and APRNs also complete a peer review.

How do you sit for the NCLEX-RN? Apply to the state board, register with Pearson VUE, and wait for the board to confirm eligibility and issue your authorization code.