From rising tuition costs to advancements in new technology impacting changes in the learning process, the college landscape nationwide has shifted significantly during the past two decades.
Fall enrollment is trending upward at all four of Idaho’s four-year campuses ― Boise State University, the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark State College ― but multimillion-dollar cuts in state funding could gravely impact tuition, as well as campus employment for several school employees.
The higher enrollment figures come on the heels of a permanent 3% reduction in state funding Gov. Brad Little implemented in September. Little made the cuts permanent for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, forcing schools to submit new budget requests for 2026-27. It remains to be seen the impact these reductions will have as Idaho’s largest institutions of higher learning continue to serve more students annually.
As the state’s largest campus, BSU experienced a 4.7% upswing in students this fall with a record enrollment of 28,519. Tuition and fees, or what is commonly referred to as “dedicated” state funds, comprise a majority of the school’s budget.
The school addressed the issue through a statement in its new budget request stating, “Boise State is substantially reliant on student-paid tuition to fund our operations, and this budget reduction will exacerbate that situation.”
In a press release, Interim President Jeremiah Shinn also acknowledged how increased enrollment reflects the school’s ability to provide “pathways to success” for its students.
“We have been intentional in recruiting Idaho students — positioning us to help meet Idaho’s workforce development needs — and we are committed to making sure our graduates are the first and best choice for Idaho’s jobs,” he said.
Along with now enrolling a record student body, BSU is also handing out diplomas in record numbers. As many as 5,400 individuals completed a degree or certificate in 2024-25, including 4,033 who earned a bachelor’s degree, up nearly 2% over the prior year.
In Moscow, enrollment at the University of Idaho has reached12,286 students, a slight 0.8% increase over fall 2024. Enrollment has now moved upward for a fifth straight year and ninth consecutive semester.
The overall figure reflects the school’s largest ever undergraduate population, as well as its second largest freshman class in school history. Likewise, the school’s prestigious College of Law experienced a 9.8% jump with 502 new students, the largest first-year class ever.
“Our university’s strategic plan has placed a renewed focus on student success and experiential learning, which differentiates the U of I from other schools across the nation,” said Dean Kahler, vice provost for strategic enrollment management. “We believe that students and families see the tremendous value of pursuing a degree at the University of Idaho.”
“The University of Idaho is bucking national trends for enrollment,” said U of I President Scott Green. “Not only are new students trusting us for their education, but our growing retention shows that students find their place in the Vandal Family and stay to enjoy the strong outcomes.”
At the same time, the state’s reductions to education funding certainly will have an impact, according to Jodi Walker, U of I executive director of Communications.
“A 3% cut can be absorbed once. But if the cut becomes permanent, which we understand it will, that means we must look at employee positions,” Walker said. “There is no doubt cutting positions could have an impact on our students. We will work to meet the financial challenges in ways that have the least impact on our students and their success.”
In its revised budget request, U of I shared that education cuts will “directly harm students” who will face “increased financial pressures,” and will impact “learning, retention rates and graduation timelines.”
Despite the budget woes, U of I was again ranked as a top Best Value Public University by U.S. News and World Report for a sixth consecutive year.
“Students benefit from the incredible investment of our donors to help students meet the financial obligations of college,” she said. “In our current capital campaign, which closes at the end of the year, donors have given more than $22.9 million directly to student support.”
Keeping pace with its counterparts, Idaho State University reported a total enrollment of 13,933, a 6.6% increase over last fall. The figure also includes the school’s largest class of first-time undergraduates in 13 years, a 10.6% bump over its 2024 class of enrollees.
ISU President Robert Wagner touted both the university’s upward trending enrollment numbers and an exceptionally high retention rate of 73.8%.
“Idaho State University is experiencing extraordinary fall enrollment numbers, the highest in undergraduate and graduate enrollment since 2012, with a record-breaking retention rate showing increased student success,” he said. “We are thrilled to witness such positive growth and impact.”
However, an $8 million ongoing deficit due to reductions in state funding looms large.
“Balancing the budget will require meaningful structural changes across the university, which may significantly impact ISU’s operations and personnel,” Wagner said. “While the final decisions are still being explored, Idaho State University is committed to making budget decisions that align with our mission, statewide impact, and reinforce continued momentum and significant growth for the university, while increasing support for our students.”
Other highlights for ISU include a 3.4% increase in graduate enrollment, and a 5% jump in students earning dual enrollment credits. The only decline reported by the school was for those considered new undergraduate transfer enrollment students, a drop of 4.6%.
As the smallest school in the group of four, Lewis-Clark State topped the 4,000-enrollment figure this fall for the first time in school history. Additionally, boasting a record 4,047 students enrolled, the figure exceeded the school’s previous high of 3,999 in 2011. The school’s upward swing marks the fourth straight year of enrollment growth.
President Cynthia Pemberton praised the school’s ability for producing students who “thrive” and go on to do “big things” despite the small stature of the campus.
“We are proud to be seeing strategic growth at a time when many small colleges like ours, especially in rural regions like ours, are facing sharp enrollment declines,” she said. “This growth is important for our workforce, especially in areas such as health care, for our region and throughout Idaho.”
Pemberton attributes a “multifaceted approach” to strategic enrollment growth and the school’s willingness to embrace its “size” and prominent status within a rural market.
“Enrollment initiatives have included increased campuswide involvement and marketing investment, streamlining enrollment services and technologies, developing and expanding partnerships and pipelines with sister institutions, leveraging programs like Launch, and expansion in prison education, graduate programs, CTE and other niche areas,” she said.
LC State also reported a 12% increase in students enrolled in its Nursing and Health Sciences program, which has helped to serve the health care education needs of the north Idaho region for six decades.
“The contributions of the school to the region’s health care workforce are nothing short of vital,” said Logan Fowler, chief of the school’s Communications and Marketing department.
“Although our No. 1 nursing program is very well known, our impact is beyond nursing. We have a great radiographic science program, which features an online pathway that was ranked No. 1 in the nation last year, as well as a large and growing number of allied health programs.”
Along with gains in the school’s “well-established” nursing and business administration programs, Fowler noted some newer programs, including offering a bachelor’s degree in health studies, and a master’s program for nursing leadership in health care, as well as cyber accounting, have also played vital roles in significantly impacting student success.
In response to the budgetary cuts LC State is facing, Fowler said the institution’s traditionally “modest” budget will be a key factor in dealing with any necessary fiscal adjustments the school must face.
“In our 132-year history, we’ve specialized in accomplishing a lot with a little and this won’t change,” he said. “We’ll continue to find ways to meet Idaho’s needs, especially in vital areas like health care and teacher education, because Idaho needs us to.”