Accredited nursing programs in Idaho
11 schools in Idaho have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 5 BSN, 6 ADN, 4 LPN, 3 MSN programs. 1 holds both accreditors across their programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 5 of 5 listings are CCNE and 0 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 5
- 0 ACEN, 5 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 6
- 6 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 4
- 4 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 3
- 0 ACEN, 3 CCNE
Accredited schools in Idaho
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | Boise | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | Rexburg | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| Carrington College-Boise | Boise | For-profit | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| College of Eastern Idaho | Idaho Falls | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| College of Southern Idaho | Twin Falls | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| College of Western Idaho | Nampa | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Eagle Gate College-Boise Campus | Boise | For-profit | – | – | ACEN | – |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello | Public | CCNE | ACEN | – | CCNE |
| Lewis-Clark State College | Lewiston | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| North Idaho College | Coeur d'Alene | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- College of Western Idaho, ADN: Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Idaho
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Idaho board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Associate programs are the most common accredited level here, with 6. For bachelor’s degrees, 5 of 7 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (71%). Compare Idaho BSN programs by NCLEX pass rate, cost and pay.
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Idaho are accredited?
We matched 11 Idaho schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 5 BSN, 6 ADN, 4 LPN, 3 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Idaho?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Idaho bachelor’s programs accredited?
5 of the 7 Idaho schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.