Idaho's state and local per-pupil expenditure on education, $5,275 in 1999/2000, is one of the lowest among the states. Nevertheless, as of 2000, 84.7% of Idahoans over 25 were high school graduates, well above the national average of 80.4%, and 21.7% had obtained a bachelor's degree or higher.
The total enrollment for fall 1999 in Idaho's public schools stood at 245,331. Of these, 168,822 attended schools from kindergarten through grade eight, and 76,509 attended high school. Minority students made up approximately 14% of the total enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools in 2001. Total enrollment was estimated at 245,650 in fall 2000 and expected to reach 280,000 by fall 2005. Enrollment in nonpublic schools in fall 2001 was 10,209. Expenditures for public education in 2000/01 were estimated at $1,323,127.
As of fall 2000, there were 77,392 students enrolled in college or graduate school. In the same year Idaho had 14 degree-granting institutions. In 1997, minority students comprised 6.5% of total postsecondary enrollment. The leading public higher educational institutions are the University of Idaho at Moscow; Idaho State University (Pocatello); Boise State University; and Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston. There are three public community colleges and five private institutions. The State Board of Education offers scholarships to graduates of accredited Idaho high schools.