CWI recognizes Idaho’s skills gap between our current workforce and the needed workforce for business and industry to continue to grow and thrive. Alongside state and local leaders, the College continues to research these gaps and respond with programs that provide the training to meet the...
CWI Difference FAQs
How does CWI partner with education institutions in Idaho?
We work collaboratively with Idaho’s other community colleges to ensure our communities have access to education that bridges the gap to a successful career and improve the go‐on rates and attainment of certificates or degrees. We also partner with high schools to offer dual credit and...
How is CWI addressing the workforce gap?
Community colleges provide programs specific to workforce readiness. Industry certifications and associate degrees which can be attained through shorter term training work to help close the gap. In the coming years, our community needs more skilled professionals in a variety of areas. The top...
How is CWI different than a university?
As a community college, CWI provides open access regardless of financial or previous educational attainment. CWI offers programs that lead to associate degrees that can be transferred on to a four-year university and short-term certificates that provide proof of skillset for direct entry into a...
How is CWI funded?
CWI has three primary funding sources: tuition & fees, state funding (from the general fund, liquor funds, and Career and Technical Education allocations), and funding from county property taxes.
CWI’s tuition and fees are nearly half the cost of Idaho’s public...
How is CWI Governed?
An important note of distinction regarding CWI is that in addition to the oversight provide by the Idaho State Board of Education, CWI is governed by a locally elected five member Board of Trustees. Unlike our university counterparts that report direct to the State Board of Education, Idaho...
How is CWI helping Idaho meet its educational goals?
Idaho has an ambitious goal that 60% of Idahoans ages 25-34 will have a degree or certificate. With students ranging in age from 16 to 75+ and robust program offerings, CWI is a gateway for students regardless of age, ethnicity, financial or academic status. Since the first class offerings in...
How many students attend CWI?
CWI is currently serving more than 30,000 students a year. This includes credit students in Academic Transfer programs, Dual Credit, and Career Technical Education, and non‐credit offerings in Workforce Development training programs and Adult Education.
How much will the developments in Nampa and Boise cost?
CWI's Board of Trustees are evaluating the projects and costs necessary to meet the current and projected needs of the community in the way of campus developments. Costs vary and will need to be looked at and reevaluated on a constant basis. Our board will also consider needs of our students...
Is CWI an accredited college?
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The NWCCU is a regional postsecondary accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
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What is CWI’s economic impact?
Although still a young college, results from a third party report completed by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI) in 2015-16, indicates CWI is already providing an impressive 15.8% return on taxpayer investment and a 18.7% return on student investment. Subsequently, EMSI completed an...
What is planned for the next 10 years?
The next 10 years for CWI is focused on helping more students throughout the Treasure Valley access the programs specific to our local community’s economic and social well-being.
Upon completion of CWI's Comprehensive Strategic Plan 2018-2022, we anticipate that our student...
What is the student demographic at CWI?
CWI serves a diverse population of students with most residing in Ada and Canyon counties. Many of our students are first generation college students coming directly out of high school with the intent to transfer on to a university. We also serve a large population of students returning or...
What makes CWI stand out?
CWI takes proactive and innovative approaches to reach students, provide quality levels of college preparation support and advising, and ensure that students are prepared for a career upon completion and continued education that may be required.
- Early Reach: CWI has expanded dual ...