Lowest In-State Tuition for a Bachelor’s
Brigham Young University-Idaho
$4,800 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents (2024–25), the lowest among the 4 bachelor’s programs shown here.
Idaho · Economics Rankings · 2027 
Best Economics Programs in Idaho for 2027
Brigham Young University-Idaho posted the lowest price among Idaho’s four bachelor’s programs, $4,800, and the most degrees, 16, though Boise State at $9,048 and 14 degrees is ranked first. Nothing in the state goes beyond the bachelor’s, so a master’s or PhD in economics means leaving Idaho.
By Taylor Rupe, Editor
Economics Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Idaho
4 schools in Idaho awarded economics bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24, scored against 670 bachelor’s programs nationwide.
- 1
Boise State University
Economics, BA
50.0 Comparison ScoreBoise State's Department of Economics sorts its undergraduates into four degrees, so the first decision is which one. The Economics BA is the flexible choice, pairing theory, statistics and econometrics with room to build electives around business, mathematics, environmental studies or the social sciences. The Quantitative Economics BA adds calculus, linear algebra, probability and more econometrics for students aiming at data work or graduate school. A Business Economics BBA carries a full business core, and a Business and Economic Analytics BS is shared with the information technology and supply chain department. A teaching endorsement for grades 6 to 12 is also offered.
- Four Degrees
- Economics BA, Quantitative Economics BA, Business Economics BBA and Business and Economic Analytics BS
- Quantitative Track
- Calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistics and econometrics
- Teaching Endorsement
- Economics Teaching Endorsement for grades 6 to 12 as part of a certification pathway
Program Sources: Economics, BA | Boise State University Department of Economics
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 14 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 59% 2,762 first-time, full-time students
- Median Graduate Earnings
- $71,817 Economics bachelor’s graduates, College Scorecard
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $9,048 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $27,788 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 2
University of Idaho
Economics (B.A. or B.S.)
46.3 Comparison ScoreEconomics at the University of Idaho is offered through the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences, and it comes as either a BA or a BS. The BA adds a four-semester foreign-language sequence, which the degree map fills with French, German, Japanese, Spanish or American Indian language courses. Beginning students can take Foundations of Economic Analysis in place of the two principles courses. Intermediate macro and micro, Econometrics and a senior course in Economic Theory and Policy make up 34 to 37 major hours, with 12 hours of upper-division electives. A learning outcome calls for students to write a research thesis.
- BA Language Track
- Four semesters of a world language on the BA degree map
- Entry Option
- ECON 2720 Foundations of Economic Analysis can replace the two principles courses
- Senior Course
- ECON 4900 Economic Theory and Policy, with a research-thesis outcome
Program Sources: Economics (B.A. or B.S.) | University of Idaho Catalog
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 4 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 57% 1,395 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $9,084 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $28,320 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 3
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Economics (B.S.)
46.0 Comparison ScoreBYU-Idaho's economics BS highlights a set of major-specific courses that read like a tour of applied economics: International Economics, Behavioral Economics, Law and Economics, Industrial Organization and Business Analytics, alongside intermediate micro and macro and Introduction to Econometrics. The department says its curriculum integrates artificial intelligence tools for data synthesis and professional communication, and it pairs the major with an example four-year class plan that students can follow. The degree sits in the Department of Economics, and the university frames its approach around economics as decision-making and human behavior, not only money.
- Highlighted Courses
- International Economics, Behavioral Economics, Law and Economics, Industrial Organization and Business Analytics
- Core Theory and Methods
- Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics and Introduction to Econometrics
- AI Integration
- Coursework uses AI tools for data synthesis and professional communication
Program Sources: Economics (B.S.) | Majors & Degrees | BYU-Idaho
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 16 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 50% 2,637 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $4,800 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $4,800 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- 4
Idaho State University
B.S. Economics
38.7 Comparison ScoreIdaho State's economics degree became a STEM-recognized program beginning in fall 2024, after the university reclassified it under the econometrics and quantitative economics code. That matters for F-1 international students, who become eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The 120-credit curriculum matches the quantitative label: Mathematics for Economics, Econometrics, Financial Modeling, and a precalculus-to-calculus course choice. Students then choose one applied elective from health care, environmental, public finance or state and local finance economics, add six upper-division economics credits and complete a statistics course. There are no admission requirements into the major.
- STEM Designation
- Recognized as a STEM degree beginning fall 2024, with eligibility for the 24-month OPT extension
- Quantitative Courses
- Mathematics for Economics, Econometrics and Financial Modeling
- Applied Elective
- One of health care, environmental, public finance, or state and local finance economics
Program Sources: Economics Degree Recognized as a STEM Degree by United States Department of Homeland Security | Idaho State University
- Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded
- 7 Economics, 2023–24
- School Six-Year Graduation Rate
- 35% 1,172 first-time, full-time students
- In-State Tuition + Fees
- $8,610 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
- Out-of-State Tuition + Fees
- $27,720 Undergraduate, schoolwide, 2024–25
Economics Programs in Idaho at a Glance
- Ranked Schools
- 4 3 public, 1 private
- Bachelor’s Programs
- 4 41 degrees in 2023–24
- Lowest In-State Tuition
- $4,800 Bachelor’s list, schoolwide, 2024–25
How We Rank Economics Programs in Idaho
Each program gets the same comparison score it earns in our national economics model, calculated against the nationwide group that meets the numeric and directory criteria. We then order Idaho’s eligible programs by that score within each degree level. We feature up to 10 programs, taking the next highest-ranked program from each degree-level list in turn. Scores are compared only within the same degree level. Bachelor’s lists weigh graduation rate (20%), published tuition (20%), graduate earnings (20%), program reputation (25%), and degrees awarded (15%). Read how state lists are built.
Best Economics Schools in Idaho by Goal
These picks compare only the programs featured in the lists above.
Most Economics Bachelor’s Graduates
Brigham Young University-Idaho
16 economics bachelor’s degrees awarded in 2023–24, the most of any school on this list.
Highest Schoolwide Graduation Rate
59% of first-time, full-time students at the school finished a bachelor’s within six years. This is a schoolwide rate, not a economics-only rate.
Top-Scoring Private College
Brigham Young University-Idaho
The highest-scoring private school on the bachelor’s list (No. 3 overall), with a comparison score of 46.0.
Idaho Economics: Top Two Schools Award Quantitative Economics Degrees
The two schools at the top also report their degrees differently from the rest. The University of Idaho and Idaho State University report Economics, General. Size is uneven as well: the University of Idaho awarded 4 economics bachelor’s degrees in 2023–24 and Idaho State awarded 7, while the two leaders awarded 16 and 14. Check each catalog for the required math before choosing.
Cost and completion point in different directions. Brigham Young University-Idaho lists $4,800 in schoolwide 2024–25 tuition and fees for residents and nonresidents, while the public universities charge residents $8,610 to $9,084. Boise State has the highest schoolwide graduation rate of the four (59%), and Brigham Young University-Idaho’s is 50%.
Economics Careers and Pay in Idaho
These are BLS median annual wages for Idaho and the United States from the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. A median is the midpoint among workers in the occupation, from new hires to senior staff, so it is not a starting salary for a new graduate. The 10th–90th percentile range shows what the middle 80% of workers earn in the state.
| Occupation | Idaho Median | Idaho 10th–90th Percentile | U.S. Median | Idaho Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economist Pay in Idaho BLS: Economists | $131,270 | $55,180–$173,560 | $124,720 | 130 |
| Market Research Analyst Wages in Idaho BLS: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $60,970 | $36,800–$127,660 | $78,760 | 3,780 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Wage data does not enter the program scores.
Economics Programs in Idaho: Common Questions
How Many Schools in Idaho Appear in These Economics Rankings?
4 schools in Idaho appear in the lists shown here (4 bachelor’s programs). A school can appear at more than one degree level. The degree counts come from federal IPEDS completions for 2023–24.
Which Economics Bachelor’s Program in Idaho Has the Lowest Tuition?
Brigham Young University-Idaho lists $4,800 in annual undergraduate tuition and required fees for state residents in 2024–25, the lowest among the bachelor’s programs shown here. That is a schoolwide figure before aid, so check the program’s own costs and any fees for fieldwork or labs.
Do Economists Earn More in Idaho Than Nationally?
By the May 2025 median, yes. Economists in Idaho had a median wage of $131,270, compared with $124,720 for the U.S., but state employment in the occupation was 130. Market research analysts and marketing specialists, with 3,780 employed in Idaho, had a $60,970 median. These are occupation medians, not starting pay for new graduates.
Why Do Idaho Economics Programs Report Different Field Names?
Schools report each degree award under a field category. Brigham Young University-Idaho uses Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Boise State University uses that and Economics, General, and the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, and the College of Southern Idaho use Economics, General. The label alone does not describe the curriculum, so compare required courses in each catalog.
Sources
- IPEDS C2024_A completions: first-major degrees awarded by field and level, 2023–24.
- IPEDS COST1_2024: tuition and required fees, 2024–25.
- IPEDS DRVGR2024: schoolwide graduation rates.
- Carnegie 2025 Research Activity Designations.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates.
- SocialSciences.org ranking methodology.
