Boise State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 17,674 students.
About This School
Boise State University is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho with approximately 17,674 undergraduate students enrolled. Boise State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 87%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,610 per year. The graduation rate is 60%, and the typical graduate earns $43,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Boise State University (BSU) is a public research university in Boise, Idaho, United States. Founded in 1932 by the Episcopal Church, it became an independent junior college in 1934 and has been awarding baccalaureate and master's degrees since 1965. It became a public institution in 1969.
Worth considering if you're looking for an affordable path into the workforce — at $19,182/year average net cost and a relatively low median debt of $14,000 at graduation, the financial burden is manageable compared to many peers. That said, the 62% graduation rate is a genuine concern, meaning roughly 4 in 10 students don't finish, so it's worth asking honestly whether the program and support structure align with your specific goals. Median earnings of $43,100 a decade out are modest, so students should be intentional about choosing a field with stronger local or regional demand in the Boise job market.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2023-24). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (17,674 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Boise State University Common Data Set (2023-24).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Rexburg, ID · Private nonprofit
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID · Public
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID · Public
College of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID · Public
College of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, ID · Public
North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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