[9] Tuition rates are generally lower than those at similar universities, due largely to funding provided by the church from tithing donations, various scholarships, financial aid, and on-campus student jobs.

The precursor to BYU–Idaho, like several other colleges and universities across the mountain west, was established as a "stake academy" first, as Mormon settlers colonized the eastern Snake River Plain in the 1880s.

[10] By the early twentieth century, stake academies had largely been discontinued as public schools became more established in the western United States.

[17][18] The campus sits on a hill overlooking the city of Rexburg and the Snake River Valley and includes nearly forty major buildings and residence halls on over 400 acres (1.6 km2).

Facilities include a football and track stadium, tennis courts, general use fields and the John Hart Physical Education building, which seats 4,000 in its main gym and is used for athletic events and concerts.

The building also includes a large fitness center, a pool, auxiliary gymnasiums, racquetball courts and equipment room, all of which are open to students, faculty and staff.

KBYI-FM, a 100,000 watt public radio station, also broadcasts to eastern Idaho and parts of Wyoming and Montana from the campus.

BYU-Idaho is led by Alvin "Trip" F. Meredith, a church general authority, who began serving as president in August 2023.

[25] The academic year is divided into three equal semesters (fall, winter, spring) of fourteen weeks and is known as the "three-track" system.

[26] When a student is admitted to BYU–Idaho, they are also assigned to a specific two-semester "track," (fall-winter, winter-spring, or spring-fall) based partly on preference, degree program, and availability to balance.

BYU-Idaho also offers "fast grad" which allows students to attend all semesters and finish their degree sooner.

During the devotional, no classes are held, administrative offices close, and students and faculty are encouraged to attend the hour-long worship service either in person (in the BYU–Idaho Center), via campus TV, or on the radio at KBYI 94.3 FM.

Speakers are selected from the campus and local communities, as well as from church general authorities who share a spiritually uplifting message.

Early forms of the BYU Honor Code are found as far back as the days of the Brigham Young Academy and educator Karl G. Maeser.

Maeser created the "Domestic Organization", which was a group of teachers who would visit students at their homes to see that they were following the school's moral rules prohibiting obscenity, profanity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

The honor code today includes rules regarding dress, grooming, and academic honesty; it also prohibits extra-marital sex and homosexual behavior, alcohol, coffee, tea, and drugs.

A signed commitment to live the honor code is part of the application process for all Latter-day Saint affiliated schools and must be adhered to by all students, faculty, and staff.

[37] In addition to the general honor code, other prohibited items include bib overalls, baseball caps (common at all Latter-day Saint schools, the BYU–Idaho Honor Code prohibits those items inside classrooms), flip-flops (sandals), and also any worn, faded, or patched clothing on campus.

To receive this endorsement, applicants meet with their local religious leaders and pledge their willingness to abide by the honor code.

Ecclesiastical leaders may revoke a student or faculty member's endorsement for any reason, which may lead to suspension or expulsion from the college.

In fall 2019, BYU–Idaho announced that students may no longer receive a waiver that allows Medicaid to qualify as their health coverage.

As of Fall 2017, BYU–Idaho had approximately 200,000 alumni, including those from the period when the institution functioned as an academy (equivalent to a modern high school).

[43] The college's alumni include two-time Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner, Idaho State Senator Fred S. Martin, comedian Ryan Hamilton[44] and professional baseball player Matt Lindstrom.

[45][46] Another alumnus is Marion G. Romney, a former counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church, who was valedictorian of the Ricks Academy class of 1918.