Best College Towns In Idaho
As per the National Center for Education Statistics, there are 4,360 degree-granting institutions in the United States, which include public or private universities, liberal arts colleges, for-profit colleges, research universities, and community colleges. Dominating the early 21st-century global rankings, American universities have been a favorite destination for various international students, researchers, and faculties. A college town or a city that one selects for staying and studying profoundly affects the students as the locations play a vital role in a student's overall academic progress and personal development. Idaho, a beautiful state in the Western United States' Pacific Northwest region, has many such college towns that offer a perfect combination of tight-knit communities, outdoor experiences, entertainment venues, along with top-notch educational facilities. The following article discusses some of the best college towns in the Gem State.
Rexburg
The county seat and largest city of Madison County, Rexburg, is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Idaho Falls in the state's southeastern portion. Founded by Thomas Edwin Ricks, a prominent Mormon pioneer, Rexburg is currently the chief city of the Rexburg Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to Brigham Young University – Idaho, a private higher learning institution managed by the LDS Church. The university provides a unique academic experience to prepare students for lifelong learning and employment as leaders in churches, homes, and communities.
The historic downtown district of Rexburg features various shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues that attract students and locals alike. Rexburg also hosts many annual events like Idaho International Dance Festival, Idaho International Summerfest, and Madison County Fair. The city has many parks and recreational centers, such as Rexburg Rapids, Idaho Centennial Carousel, Legacy Flight Museum, etc. Rexburg is a gateway to the Teton Mountain Range, the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, and the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Caldwell
Caldwell, the county seat of Canyon County, is located along the Boise River in the state's southwestern portion. The city is home to Idaho's oldest private liberal arts college – the College of Idaho. Founded in 1891 by Dr. Rev. William Judson Boone, with Wood River Presbytery's support, the college at present, via its 16 departments, offers 3 graduate programs, 26 undergraduate majors, 58 undergraduate minors, and an array of collaborative programs. The state's geography significantly influences the college's outdoor program, which includes several recreational activities like backpacking, fly fishing, winter camping, kayaking, rock climbing, stargazing, etc.
The city's revitalized downtown area features an array of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The adjacent Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge offers recreational opportunities for nature lovers. Caldwell also hosts many annual festivals, including the Indian Creek Festival, Canyon County Fair, Caldwell Night Rodeo, and the Winter Wonderland Festival.
Moscow
Moscow, the county seat and biggest city of Latah County, Moscow is located on the eastern corner of the Palouse region of North Central Idaho, along the state's boundary with Washington. Moscow is home to two renowned higher educational institutions: the University of Idaho and New Saint Andrews College. The Idaho Territory legislature established the state's flagship and oldest public land-grant research university, the University of Idaho, on January 30, 1889. The university's 1,585-acre campus in Moscow is the most expansive in the state, comprising 253 buildings, 49 acres of parking lots, 22 computer labs, 80 acres of arboreta, 1.2 miles of bike paths, 860 acres of farms, and an 18-hole golf course on 150 acres.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the serene natural landscape of the spectacular Palouse region, rolling green hills, miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, and the adjacent Moscow Mountain Recreation Area. Both residents and tourists are attracted to the locally-owned businesses, art galleries, museums, restaurants, and neighborhood parks that are located throughout the city. Moscow also hosts annual events like the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Moscow Hemp Fest, Renaissance Fair, Farmers Market, Rendezvous in the Park, and Light up the Night Parade.
Lewiston
The county seat of Nez Perce County, Lewiston, is the state's ninth-largest city and the second-largest city in the Idaho Panhandle region. Located at the meeting point of Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Lewiston is home to Lewis-Clark State College, a public undergraduate college established in 1893 as Lewiston State Normal School. Well-known for its robust academic programs, the university's scenic and friendly campus provides a safe learning environment for students.
As Lewis-Clark Valley's metropolitan hub, Lewiston serves as the entire region's principal healthcare, transportation, retail, and entertainment center. The city also hosts several annual community events, such as the Dogwood Festival, Hot August Nights Concert Series, Christmas Festival, Lewiston Roundup Rodeo, etc. Lewiston is also a major recreation destination for the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Nampa
Idaho's third-most populous city and the biggest city in Canyon County, Nampa, is located at the center of Treasure Valley, approximately 6 miles west of Meridian and 20 miles west of Boise along Interstate 84 Highway. Nampa is home to two reputed higher learning institutions: Northwest Nazarene University and College of Western Idaho. Established in 1913, Northwest Nazarene University is a private Christian liberal arts university that comprises two colleges: the College of Adult and Graduate Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences. Besides its 90-acre Nampa campus, the university has branch campuses in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Boise and offers several online degree programs.
Downtown Nampa features the Nampa Train Depot Museum, Nampa Civic Center, Ford Idaho Center, Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho, Warhawk Air Museum, etc. Outdoor lovers can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities at the city's many parks, including Lakeview Park, Nampa Recreation Center, Wilson Springs, Centennial Golf Course, and the Ridgecrest Golf Club. Lakeview Park hosts the Festival of the Arts, which attracts many tourists every year.
Pocatello
Named in honor of Chief Pocatello, a 19th-century leader of the indigenous Shoshone-Bannock Indian tribe, this charming city is located in the Portneuf River valley in the state's southeastern portion. The county seat and biggest city of Bannock County, Pocatello is the state's sixth-largest city and Pocatello Metropolitan Statistical Area's chief city. Pocatello is home to Idaho State University, a large public research institution with 12,157 students, of which 9,831 are undergraduates and 2,326 are postgraduates. One of Pocatello's biggest employers, the university offers over 250 programs in its main Pocatello campus as well as outreach programs in Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Boise, and Idaho Falls.
Idaho State University is also home to the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center and a multipurpose indoor stadium named Holt Arena that hosts several sporting events. The city's Historic Downtown District is one of the region's most vibrant and well-preserved urban streetscapes. Filled with a series of shops, restaurants, and art galleries, visitors to the Historic Downtown District can experience rich history as well as modern-day amenities. The Portneuf River Greenway that runs through the city is well-known for jogging, strolling, and other outdoor recreational activities.
Twin Falls
The county seat and biggest city of Twin Falls County, Twin Falls, is located in the Magic Valley region in Idaho's south-central portion. The northwestern part of the city is home to the expansive campus of the College of Southern Idaho. Since its establishment in 1968, the College of Southern Idaho has been one of the state's fastest-growing colleges. This public community college is known for its strong academic programs, with an enrolment of about 7,000 students and an extra 3,000 students in non-credit courses.
Being the Twin Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area's principal city, Twin Falls serves as a regional commercial center for the south-central part of Idaho and the northeastern part of Nevada. The city is placed on a broad river plain at the southern rim of the Snake River Canyon, where in 1974, the American stunt performer Evel Knievel performed a daring cliff jumping with a steam-powered rocket. Other attractions close to the city include the three scenic waterfalls: Shoshone Falls, Pillar Falls, and Twin Falls, and the 1,500 ft long I.B. Perrine Bridge, a prime location for BASE jumping.
Boise
The state capital and the county seat of Ada County, Boise, is located in the Treasure Valley area of southwestern Idaho. The city is home to reputed post-secondary educational institutions, including Boise State University, Boise Bible College, and many technical schools. Since 2014, Boise has housed two law school programs: the Concordia University School of Law and the University of Idaho College of Law. Both the University of Idaho and Idaho State University maintain a satellite campus in the city. Established as Boise Junior College by the Episcopal Church in 1932, Boise State University is Idaho's third state university. Located on the southern banks of the Boise River close to downtown Boise, the sprawling 285-acre campus of this public research university houses more than 170 buildings and offers over 100 graduate programs to a total of 24,103 students.
As Idaho's most populous city, Boise offers an array of recreational activities for both residents and tourists. Downtown Boise is the city's top cultural center, home to several small businesses, high-rise buildings, boutiques, bars, restaurants, and sidewalk cafes. Tourists can also visit the Idaho State Capitol, Boise Art Museum, Egyptian Theatre, Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Boise Centre on the Grove, Idaho State Historical Museum, and many more. Outdoor lovers can enjoy swimming, rafting, and fishing opportunities in the Boise River; access the Boise River Greenbelt - an extensive urban trail system; and enjoy winter activities like snow tubing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and alpine skiing at the Bogus Basin ski area.
Selecting an ideal high-learning institution where one can pursue quality education is indeed a difficult task. Moreover, the quality of education and professional opportunities for students is determined not only by the academic proficiency of an educational institute but also by its geographical location. In short, the best college town offers comfortable study environments, affordable living spaces, potential job opportunities, close-knit communities, scenic natural landscapes, and active participation in various cultural and athletic events. Having a perfect combination of all such facilities, college towns in Idaho attracts scholars from all over the world and provide unforgettable experiences for everyone who visits these places.
