Idaho Community Colleges
Liberal Arts Programs
Liberal-arts transfer programs at community colleges in this state. English, history, philosophy, and the social sciences for university transfer.
3 colleges · 386 sections · 47 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
The liberal-arts associate at Idaho community colleges is the most common transfer degree in the Idaho Community Colleges system. It's designed as a complete 2-year general-education foundation — English composition, history, math, lab science, social science, fine arts — that articulates to any four-year university in the state. Students complete two years at community-college tuition rates and arrive at the bachelor's program as juniors with sophomore standing in their declared major.
This term's 386 sections across 3 Idaho Community Colleges colleges fill those general-education buckets. The right college often comes down to schedule (online availability, evening sections) and proximity rather than program differences — the curriculum is intentionally similar across institutions to keep the transfer guarantee working. Compare colleges below by section count and transfer agreements.
Colleges offering Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Western Idaho | 230 | 31 | 111 |
| North Idaho College | 123 | 24 | 43 |
| College of Eastern Idaho | 33 | 12 | 16 |
Liberal Arts Availability Snapshot
How liberal arts sections are being offered across 3 colleges in Idaho this term (386 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person172 (45%)
- online157 (41%)
- hybrid44 (11%)
- zoom13 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)110
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)97
- Evening (5 PM and after)19
- Asynchronous / TBA160
Start dates
Sections begin on 6 distinct dates. 40 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 110 distinct instructors across 3 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
College of Eastern Idaho2 programs
College of Southern Idaho1 program
Fall Semester Freshman Year
15 creditsFall Semester Sophomore Year
16 creditsSee catalog for course list
Spring Semester Sophomore Year
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
College of Western Idaho1 program
Common Liberal Arts courses
- ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I(121 sections)
- ENGL 102Writing and Rhetoric II(67 sections)
- ENGL 101PWriting and Rhetoric I Plus(45 sections)
- ENGL 100Writing and Rhetoric Plus(30 sections)
- PHIL 103Introduction to Ethics(24 sections)
- HIST 111United States History I(16 sections)
- PHIL 101Introduction to Philosophy(14 sections)
- HIST 101World History I(7 sections)
- ENGL 102PWriting and Rhetoric II(5 sections)
- HIST 112United States History II(5 sections)
- HIST 103Western Civilization I(4 sections)
- PHIL 111World Religions(4 sections)
Frequently asked questions
- What is a liberal-arts degree good for?
- Almost exclusively transfer. The liberal-arts AA isn't a career-track degree on its own; it's the first two years of a bachelor's, packaged so you can complete it at much lower tuition before moving to a four-year school. The major you eventually declare at the four-year (English, history, sociology, psychology, business, etc.) determines your career path.
- Will all my liberal-arts credits transfer to a Idaho four-year university?
- If you complete the full associate of arts at a Idaho Community Colleges college, yes — under Idaho's statewide articulation agreement, the entire degree transfers as a block to any public four-year, giving you junior standing. Where students lose credits is by taking random courses outside the structured AA pathway. Talk to your transfer advisor early.
- Can I save money by doing my first two years at community college?
- Yes, often substantially. Idaho community college tuition is typically less than half what a state university charges, and the credits transfer 1:1 if you stick to the structured AA. Two years of saved tuition often translates to $20–40k less debt at graduation.
- How long does the liberal-arts associate take?
- Two years full-time (60 credits). Many students complete it in three or more years on a part-time schedule — community colleges build their evening, weekend, and online sections around working students.
Compare Liberal Arts programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Idaho’s liberal arts programs stack up.
Other programs in Idaho
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.