Most Affordable Online Associate Degrees in Idaho 2025

Many students choose to start their higher education by earning an associate degree. Some associate degrees are designed for transfer into a bachelor's degree program, while others are career degrees that lead into the workforce.

Online degrees are a great option for busy students. Those who want to save money should look for the most affordable associate degree online. If you're a student in Idaho, we've got you covered; keep reading to discover the most affordable associate degrees online in Idaho.

How Much Does an Associate Degree Cost in Idaho?

The cost of an online associate degree in Idaho depends on what school you choose, as well as where you live and what financial aid you qualify for. There are a few affordable online colleges in Idaho, both public and private.

The state also offers financial aid options to students, like the Idaho LAUNCH program, that can cover up to $8,000 for students. To find out if you qualify for this and other aid options, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Cheapest Online Associate Degree Programs

A handful of Idaho colleges and universities offer associate degrees to online students. Keep reading to discover the cheapest online associate degrees in Idaho.

1. Brigham Young University- Idaho

Brigham Young University is a private Mormon institution based in Provo, UT, with an additional campus in Rexburg, ID. Though it's geared toward Latter Day Saint (LDS) students, students are not required to be part of the LDS church to attend.

Through the BYU-Pathway Worldwide, students can choose from associate degrees in fields like business management, communication, family history research, and information technology. The school's unique pathway format has students build their degree through certificate programs. Students with previous college experience can choose the advanced path instead.

LDS members who choose the pathway format pay $83 per credit, otherwise the advanced path is $143 per credit. Non-LDS members have a tuition rate of $103.75 for the pathway format and $178.75 for the advanced path.

Average in-state tuition: $103.75 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $103.75 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: BYU-Pathway Worldwide offers a guaranteed scholarship for all students in online programs through BYU-Idaho.

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

2. College of Southern Idaho

At College of Southern Idaho, students can choose from multiple online degree programs. Areas of study include agribusiness, criminal justice, early childhood education, and liberal arts.

CSI is a public community college in Twin Falls, ID. It charges in-district students $140 per credit and all other Idaho residents $190 per credit. Out-of-state students pay $285 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $190 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $285 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: CSI offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: NWCCU

3. College of Eastern Idaho

College of Eastern Idaho allows student to earn their associate degrees exclusively through online courses. CEI is a public school in Idaho Falls, ID.

Areas of study at CEI include business, cybersecurity, healthcare, and liberal arts. Tuition is $140 per credit for in-state students and $280 per credit for out-of-state students. Students from states that are part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) pay $210 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $140 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $210 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: CEI accepts FAFSA and private aid and also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

4. North Idaho College

Multiple associate degree and certificate programs are available through online learning at North Idaho College. Areas of study include business administration, communications, humanities, and paralegal studies.

NIC, located in Coeur d'Alene, ID, is a public community college. It charges $141 per credit to in-district residents and $215 per credit to other Idaho students. Out-of-state learners pay $287 per credit if their state is in the WUE and $364 per credit if it isn't.

Average in-state tuition: $215 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $364 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: NIC accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

5. College of Western Idaho

College of Western Idaho is a public school based in Nampa, ID. It has more than a dozen online offerings, including associate degrees in fields such as anthropology, criminal justice, English, and public health.

The tuition rate for in-district students is $156 per credit, and for other Idaho students, it is $206 per credit. Students who live outside of Idaho pay $320 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $206 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $320 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: CWI accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

6. Idaho State University

Students at Idaho State University will find a variety of online education programs. Associate degrees are available in areas of study like civil engineering, fire services, health information technology, and homeland security.

This public research university is located in Pocatello, ID. In-state residents and those from WUE states pay $351.58 per credit, and all other out-of-state residents pay $951.58 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $351.58 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $951.58 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: ISU offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: NWCCU

7. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College offers several online degree programs, including associate degrees. LCSC is a public college in Lewiston, ID.

Online associate degrees are available in fields like behavioral science, business administration, justice studies, and web design. Tuition for Idaho residents is $335 per credit hour, while tuition for residents of other states is approximately $865.60 per credit hour.

Average in-state tuition: $335 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $865.60 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: LCSC accepts FAFSA and private aid, and also offers institutional aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

8. Northwest Nazarene University

A handful of associate degrees are available online through Northwest Nazarene University. Areas of study include business, Christian studies, education, and liberal studies.

This private, religious university is located in Nampa, ID. Tuition for these online college degrees is $425 per credit, much less expensive than on-campus programs.

Average in-state tuition: $425 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $425 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: NNU accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional financial aid.

Accreditation: NWCCU

Other Affordable Online Associate Degrees in the U.S.

Idaho may not have a ton of affordable associate degrees online, but students in the state can still pursue affordable degrees elsewhere. Below, we've featured a couple more cheap online associate degree options.

University of the People

University of the People is a private, nonprofit online school based in Pasadena, CA. It offers online associate degrees in three fields: business administration, computer science, and health science.

The university does not charge a tuition rate to students. Instead, it simply charges a flat assessment fee of $140 per online class. This allows students to pay just $2,800 for their associate degree program.

Average in-state tuition: $140 per class

Average out-of-state tuition: $140 per class

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: University of the People offers institutional aid and accepts private aid. As it does not charge tuition, it cannot accept FAFSA.

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Metropolitan Community College

Through Metropolitan Community College, students can earn their associate degrees online. Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, healthcare, and information technology.

MCC is a public community college located in Omaha, NE. It charges in-state students $70 per credit and out-of-state students, including those in Idaho, $105 per credit.

Average in-state tuition: $70 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $105 per credit

Program length: Four semesters of full-time study

Financial aid: MCC offers institutional financial aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the cheapest online associate degrees in Idaho listed above, we focused on:

• Location: We started by looking at schools located in Idaho.
• Accreditation: All schools on this list are regionally accredited to ensure they provide a high-quality education.
• Affordability: Once we narrowed down which accredited Idaho schools offered online associate degrees, we looked at which were the most affordable.
• Online format: All schools listed above offer at least three online associate degrees.

FAQs About the Cheapest Associate Degrees in Idaho

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the cheapest online associate degrees in Idaho.

What Is the Easiest Associate Degree To Get Online in Idaho?

For many students, the easiest associate degree to get is one in general or university studies. These degrees are primarily focused on helping you complete your general education requirements so you can transfer credits into a bachelor's degree.

All associate degree programs have a few courses that all students must take, like college composition. However, general studies degrees don't have a set curriculum. Instead, students pick which classes they want to take to fulfill certain area requirements, like natural sciences and social studies.

Often, students find this option easier because it allows them to choose courses they feel they'll excel at and find interesting. It also allows students to tailor their schedules so they are taking easier courses during busier times of their lives.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get an Associate Degree?

The cheapest way to get an associate degree will vary from person to person. There are several options that students have to lower their costs.

If you're still in high school, look into taking college-level coursework, like Advanced Placement (AP) classes, during your junior and senior years. This is a great way to earn college credit for free.

If you're not in high school but have previous college experience, make sure you look to see if you can transfer your credits. With enough transfer credits, you may be able to pursue 6-month online associate degrees.

Choosing a low-cost option and applying for financial aid will also help you lower costs. All students should fill out the FAFSA every year, as this determines what federal and state aid you can get.

What Is the Least Expensive Degree To Get?

An associate degree is far less expensive than bachelor's and graduate degrees in most cases. This is often because they're available through low-cost community colleges, and they only take two years to complete.

However, many things can impact your costs. Make sure you look at online colleges that accept financial aid so you can utilize options like the federal Pell Grant and the Idaho LAUNCH program.

How Much Does a 2-Year Degree Cost?

According to the Education Data Initiative (EDI), the average tuition for a two-year, in-state public school in the U.S. is $3,780 per year. Idaho offers a slightly lower rate for in-state students, at about $3,530 per year. But again, cost will depend on factors like where you live and what financial aid you use.

Discover Online Degree Programs

Start your journey into higher education by exploring the affordable online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.