Cost advantage
Affordable public option
In-state tuition in the lower range for public universities.
This school$9.0k
Public 4-yr avg$11k
Source: IPEDS 2024
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Boise State University
Boise, ID
Boise State University at a glance
Boise State University is a public university in Boise, Idaho with 27,198 students (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). It admitted 87% of applicants (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Its published in-state tuition is $9,048 (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25); students who received federal aid paid an average net price of $21,610 a year after grants (College Scorecard, a prior cohort). 60% of students finish within the federal tracking window (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021); 24% of students take federal loans, and borrowers leave with a median $20,500 (College Scorecard). By program, the highest graduate earnings four years after finishing are in Computer Science, bachelor's ($112,120) and Business Administration, master's ($107,178) (College Scorecard, 2017-19 graduates).
Tuition
$9,048
2024-25
Acceptance
87%
Fall 2024 applicants
Students
27,198
Fall 2024
Type
University
Setting
Urban
Cost & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
$9,048
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,788
Avg On-Campus Living
$14,884
Avg Off-Campus Living
$13,634
Financial Aid & Outcomes
College Scorecard
What will it actually cost?
Sticker price: $23,932
Net price (after aid): $21,610
Most students pay the net price after financial aid, not the sticker price.
Net price by family income
$0 – $30k: $18,165
$30k – $48k: $17,974
$48k – $75k: $20,731
$75k – $110k: $23,573
$110k+: $25,893 (above the federal borrowing ceiling)
Can federal loans cover it? (2026 limits)
For families earning $110k+, the average net price here is above the $25,500 a first-year dependent student and their parents can borrow federally from 1 July 2026, by up to $393. That part has to come from savings, income, work, or private loans.
The ceiling is $5,500 in the student’s own Direct Loan plus up to $20,000 in Parent PLUS, which requires that the parent has no adverse credit history. Net prices are averages for a prior cohort of aid recipients, not a quote. Source: Federal Student Aid loan limits. Where this gap is largest.
After graduation
Median earnings (10yr): $51,658
Median debt at graduation: $20,500
Est. monthly loan payment: $217
Earnings-to-debt ratio
Moderate · 2.5×Graduates earn about 2.5× their median debt every year.
Financial access
Students on Pell Grants: 18%
Pell Grants are federal aid for students from low-income families.
Students with federal loans: 24%
Share of students who borrowed to pay for school.
Some fields may not be reported by this institution. Verify final details with the school directly.
How does cost line up with outcomes across colleges? See our analysis of college cost vs. graduation and earnings, an association shaped by selectivity and sector, not proof a pricier college pays off.
FAFSA earnings check
: Not flaggedBoise State University does not trigger the FAFSA's "lower earnings" notice. Its graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $68,328, above the $35,094 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Idaho.
This is one figure for the whole institution, not for any program: earnings differ by credential and field. It covers graduates who completed in 2017-18 and 2018-19, received federal aid, and were working and not enrolled when earnings were measured in 2022 and 2023, in January 2026 dollars. The Department says the notice is informational only: it does not change aid eligibility. Source: U.S. Department of Education, FSA Data Center, March 2026 release. Which colleges are flagged, and what changed.
Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
60%
Freshman Retention
79%
Source: IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25 (provisional release)
Final aid offers, scholarships, and net price vary per family. Always verify with the school's financial aid office.
Scholarships available
Decision support · Cost & value
Quick Decision Highlights
The strongest cost, aid, and value reasons to consider this school.
Manageable graduate debt
$20.5k below avg
Scholarships available
Aid signal
Friendly application paths
Transfer-friendlyInternational
Affordability snapshot
In-state tuition
$9.0k
below avg
Out-of-state
$27.8k
Net price
$21.6k
Pell
18%
Median debt
$20.5k
below avg
Earnings (10y)
$51.7k
“Avg” comparisons reference national IPEDS / College Scorecard averages (~2022–23); figures are directional and vary by school and year.
Admissions
Acceptance rate
87%
SAT range
Institution does not report this
Institution does not report this
ACT range
Institution does not report this
Institution does not report this
Source: IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024 (provisional release)
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Location
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UniversitiesCommunity Colleges1 school
Institution does not report this
Boise, ID 83725
Academics
Studying online: a substantial share study entirely online
In Fall 2023, 4,829 of Boise State University's 26,670 students (18%) were enrolled entirely at a distance. A further 9,088 (34%) took at least one distance course alongside in-person study.
Distance-education figures count STUDENTS enrolled in Fall 2023, not programs on offer. "Exclusively at a distance" means a student took only distance courses that term. A college with few or no such students may still run online courses or an online degree, so a low figure is not evidence that online study is unavailable, and a high one is not a judgement of quality either way.
U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Fall Enrollment (distance education status), Fall 2023
Fields of study
Boise State University reported conferring credentials in 100 different fields to the federal government. See which ones, and at what credential level.
Campus & Student Life
Area Safety Rating
Decision support
Similar schools
Worth a closer look if Boise State University caught your interest.
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID
Tuition $9,084 76% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID
Tuition $8,610 Open admissionSame state. Similar tuition. Same school type.Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID
Tuition $7,610 88% acceptSame state. Similar tuition. Similar acceptance.California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Tuition $7,780 75% acceptSimilar tuition. Similar acceptance. Similar size.San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA
Tuition $7,950 96% acceptSimilar tuition. Similar acceptance. Similar size.California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Tuition $8,018 94% acceptSimilar tuition. Similar acceptance. Similar size.
Graduate earnings by program
What Boise State University graduates earn, by program
Boise State University's bachelor's graduates in Nursing (RN) earned a median $91,491 four years after graduating, 3% above the $88,910 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $79,301; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $17,033 in federal loans at this college (about $181 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $27,220 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
72 programs at Boise State University have federal earnings or debt figures, largest graduating classes first. Earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, earnings measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Debt: graduates of 2018-19 and 2019-20. The national median is the same measure for every program in that field and credential in the U.S.
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing (RN), Bachelor's | $91,491 | $88,910, +3% | $17,033 | $181/mo |
| Allied Health (diagnostic and treatment), Bachelor's | $89,863 | $70,786, +27% | $16,551 | $175/mo |
| Social Work, Master's | $64,464 | $65,123, about the same | $29,006 | $330/mo |
| Business, Bachelor's | $64,202 | $68,407, −6% | $19,900 | $211/mo |
| Psychology, Bachelor's | $51,184 | $50,706, about the same | $20,399 | $216/mo |
| Business Administration, Master's | $107,178 | $103,485, +4% | $40,804 | $464/mo |
| Communication, Bachelor's | $53,278 | $56,359, −5% | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| Business Administration, Bachelor's | $66,283 | $68,257, −3% | $21,000 | $223/mo |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Bachelor's | $60,164 | $68,245, −12% | $22,953 | $243/mo |
| Liberal Arts and General Studies, Associate's | $50,335 | $44,125, +14% | $13,959 | $148/mo |
| Biology, Bachelor's | $49,570 | $57,214, −13% | $20,096 | $213/mo |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor's | $51,708 | $50,532, about the same | $24,051 | $255/mo |
Compare what Nursing (RN) pays at other colleges
What the job pays locally
- Nursing (RN) graduates train as registered nurses: median $92,460 in Idaho.
- Accounting graduates train as accountants and auditors: median $74,730 in Idaho.
- Mechanical Engineering graduates train as mechanical engineers: median $93,190 in Idaho.
- Civil Engineering graduates train as civil engineers: median $98,030 in Idaho.
- Electrical Engineering graduates train as electrical engineers: median $129,340 in Idaho.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: everyone working in the job, every experience level, not only recent graduates.
Show 60 more programs
| Program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after | National median | Federal debt borrowed at this college (median) | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Undergraduate certificate | $55,835 | $47,440, +18% | $24,051 | $255/mo |
| Criminal Justice, Bachelor's | $50,297 | $55,378, −9% | $20,375 | $216/mo |
| Computer Science, Bachelor's | $112,120 | $107,009, +5% | $26,000 | $276/mo |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Undergraduate certificate | $56,877 | $53,696, +6% | $22,651 | $240/mo |
| Marketing, Bachelor's | $65,040 | $69,303, −6% | $20,500 | $217/mo |
| Design and Applied Arts, Bachelor's | $42,527 | $51,490, −17% | $26,618 | $282/mo |
| Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor's | $65,089 | $55,693, +17% | $21,324 | $226/mo |
| Accounting, Bachelor's | $69,257 | $76,194, −9% | $20,970 | $222/mo |
| Finance, Bachelor's | $70,449 | $83,343, −15% | $20,000 | $212/mo |
| Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's | $85,354 | $92,135, −7% | $24,667 | $262/mo |
| Teacher Education (by grade level), Bachelor's | $47,419 | $47,382, about the same | $22,177 | $235/mo |
| Political Science, Bachelor's | $55,478 | $63,293, −12% | $20,600 | $218/mo |
| Social Work, Bachelor's | $55,188 | $51,790, +7% | $21,929 | $232/mo |
| Construction Management, Bachelor's | $95,250 | $95,124, about the same | $23,250 | $246/mo |
| Teacher Education (by subject), Bachelor's | $47,505 | $51,389, −8% | $24,547 | $260/mo |
| Public Health, Bachelor's | — | $58,808 | $19,000 | $201/mo |
| Accounting, Master's | $93,228 | $95,833, −3% | $17,484 | $199/mo |
| Teacher Education (by subject), Graduate certificate | $59,270 | $69,444, −15% | — | — |
| Civil Engineering, Bachelor's | $81,405 | $86,517, −6% | $26,880 | $285/mo |
| Sociology, Bachelor's | $44,676 | $52,657, −15% | $23,635 | $251/mo |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Bachelor's | $50,697 | $55,012, −8% | $18,616 | $197/mo |
| Curriculum and Instruction, Master's | $54,595 | $63,399, −14% | $17,500 | $199/mo |
| Writing and Rhetoric, Bachelor's | — | $48,471 | $16,937 | $180/mo |
| Chemistry, Bachelor's | $78,901 | $65,120, +21% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Business, Undergraduate certificate | $51,285 | $60,097, −15% | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Bachelor's | $77,439 | $92,374, −16% | $13,550 | $144/mo |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design, Master's | $75,451 | $70,644, +7% | $25,650 | $292/mo |
| Electrical Engineering, Bachelor's | $100,680 | $100,647, about the same | $32,250 | $342/mo |
| History, Bachelor's | $49,625 | $50,680, about the same | $23,500 | $249/mo |
| Educational Administration, Master's | $74,993 | $71,685, +5% | $19,823 | $225/mo |
| Public Administration, Master's | $65,231 | $81,408, −20% | $23,596 | $268/mo |
| Special Education, Bachelor's | — | $50,499 | $25,000 | $265/mo |
| Student Counseling, Master's | $48,561 | $60,111, −19% | $47,316 | $538/mo |
| Computer Engineering, Undergraduate certificate | — | $68,110 | — | — |
| Writing and Rhetoric, Master's | $73,481 | $55,035, +34% | — | — |
| Anthropology, Bachelor's | $36,830 | $46,676, −21% | $25,475 | $270/mo |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Bachelor's | $44,684 | $55,000, −19% | $22,708 | $241/mo |
| Public Health, Master's | $72,621 | $82,751, −12% | — | — |
| Social Sciences, Bachelor's | $49,683 | $53,366, −7% | $23,900 | $253/mo |
| Special Education, Master's | $56,761 | $64,397, −12% | $24,705 | $281/mo |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Master's | $61,718 | $62,033, about the same | — | — |
| Materials Engineering, Bachelor's | — | $91,449 | $21,500 | $228/mo |
| Public Relations and Advertising, Undergraduate certificate | $61,544 | $52,763, +17% | $22,248 | $236/mo |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Bachelor's | $53,995 | $60,190, −10% | $25,360 | $269/mo |
| Physics, Bachelor's | $64,459 | $76,786, −16% | $24,469 | $259/mo |
| Applied Mathematics, Bachelor's | $75,336 | $91,532, −18% | — | — |
| Mathematics, Bachelor's | $48,582 | $69,562, −30% | — | — |
| International Business, Bachelor's | $62,964 | $73,201, −14% | $25,002 | $265/mo |
| Nursing (RN), Master's | $128,689 | $120,193, +7% | $46,475 | $529/mo |
| Teacher Education (by subject), Master's | $59,920 | $63,707, −6% | — | — |
| Economics, Bachelor's | $71,817 | $82,686, −13% | $25,750 | $273/mo |
| Writing and Rhetoric, Undergraduate certificate | — | $55,975 | — | — |
| Business/Managerial Economics, Bachelor's | — | $77,981 | $19,500 | $207/mo |
| Anthropology, Undergraduate certificate | — | $45,283 | — | — |
| Film and Photography, Undergraduate certificate | $37,111 | $32,800, +13% | — | — |
| Criminal Justice, Associate's | $47,624 | $46,706, about the same | — | — |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other, Undergraduate certificate | $59,989 | $50,518, +19% | $21,641 | $229/mo |
| Teacher Education (by subject), Post-baccalaureate certificate | $70,500 | $60,439, +17% | $15,632 | $166/mo |
| English, Bachelor's | $39,059 | $48,590, −20% | $24,618 | $261/mo |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Bachelor's | $58,562 | $54,562, +7% | $21,500 | $228/mo |
Median earnings of graduates who received federal student aid, worked, and were not enrolled in school; debt is the median federal loans borrowed at this college by graduates who borrowed (Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS; not Parent PLUS, private loans or interest). Programs with too few graduates are suppressed by the Department of Education. Monthly payment assumes a standard 10-year plan. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, field-of-study data, 10 June 2026. Download every program (CSV). Same degree, different paycheck: what the national data show. Over the Cap: graduate programs where typical debt exceeds the federal loan limits in force since July 2026. Nursing graduates vs RN pay by state: the early-career benchmark.
Frequently asked questions
About Boise State University
Built from CampusPin profile data. Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with the institution before applying. See our data methodology and data dictionary.
- Where is Boise State University located?
- Boise State University is located in Boise, ID, in the United States.
- What type of institution is Boise State University?
- Boise State University is a public university based in ID. CampusPin classifies institutions as either four-year universities or two-year community colleges, with control labeled public or private.
- What is the acceptance rate at Boise State University?
- The most recently reported acceptance rate at Boise State University is approximately 87% (IPEDS, applicants for fall 2024). Acceptance rate signals selectivity but does not predict any individual applicant's outcome and is not a measure of school quality. CampusPin reports the federally-published value; verify the current cycle with the institution.
- What is the tuition at Boise State University?
- Boise State University's published in-state tuition is approximately $9,048 per year (IPEDS, charges for academic year 2024-25). This is the published price before financial aid; the net price most students actually pay is typically lower. Verify the current academic-year tuition with the institution before applying.
- How many students attend Boise State University?
- Boise State University reports total enrollment of approximately 27,198 students (undergraduate plus graduate) (IPEDS, fall 2024 enrollment). Total enrollment is a useful sizing signal, see the institutional profile for additional breakdowns when available.
- How much does Boise State University actually cost after financial aid?
- The average net price at Boise State University is approximately $21,610 per year. Net price is the total cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships that never have to be repaid, so it is what students actually paid rather than the published sticker price. What families pay varies with income: students from families earning under $30,000 paid about $18,165 on average, and those from families earning $110,000 or more about $25,893. These are averages for students who received federal aid in a prior cohort, not a quote for any individual family. Run the institution's own Net Price Calculator for a figure specific to you.
- What is the graduation rate at Boise State University?
- Boise State University reports a graduation rate of approximately 60% (IPEDS, Graduation Rates 2024 collection: 4-year cohort 2018, 2-year cohort 2021). This measures the share of a prior entering cohort who completed their degree within the federal tracking window. It reflects who enrolls as much as what the institution does, so it is not on its own a measure of teaching quality, and it is not comparable across institutions serving very different students.
- How much student debt do graduates of Boise State University have?
- Students who borrowed at Boise State University left with a median of approximately $20,500 in federal loans, and about 24% of students took federal loans at all. Both numbers matter: a median describes only the students who borrowed, so it reads very differently at a school where most students borrow than at one where few do. Federal loans only, so private and parent borrowing are not included.
- How much do graduates of Boise State University earn?
- Median earnings approximately ten years after entry are $51,658 for students who received federal financial aid at Boise State University. This reflects the mix of programs the institution offers and the students who enroll, not the effect of attending, and it covers aid recipients rather than all graduates.
- How should I verify final details about Boise State University?
- CampusPin compiles institutional data from public datasets like IPEDS and the College Scorecard, plus institutional websites and editorial review. Before applying, paying a deposit, or making a final decision, confirm admissions requirements, current tuition, financial aid, deadlines, and program details directly with Boise State University.
- How much do Nursing (RN) graduates from Boise State University earn?
- Boise State University's bachelor's graduates in Nursing (RN) earned a median $91,491 four years after graduating, 3% above the $88,910 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $79,301; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $17,033 in federal loans at this college (about $181 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $27,220 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level). For context, registered nurses in Idaho are paid a median $92,460 a year across all experience levels (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), a figure for everyone in the job, not only recent graduates.
- How much do Allied Health (diagnostic and treatment) graduates from Boise State University earn?
- Boise State University's bachelor's graduates in Allied Health (diagnostic and treatment) earned a median $89,863 four years after graduating, 27% above the $70,786 national median for the same program (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). One year after graduating, a later class (2018-20 graduates, measured 2020-21) earned a median $76,843; the two figures describe different graduates, not one class's growth. Graduates who borrowed took out a median $16,551 in federal loans at this college (about $175 a month on a 10-year plan), and had $25,675 in total federal debt including other colleges attended (same degree level).
- Which programs at Boise State University have the highest graduate earnings?
- Among the 47 programs at Boise State University with a federal earnings figure from at least 30 graduates, the highest medians four years after graduating were Computer Science, bachelor's ($112,120); Business Administration, master's ($107,178); and Electrical Engineering, bachelor's ($100,680) (2017-19 graduates, measured 2022-23, College Scorecard). That order is one federal measure, not a ranking of program quality: earnings reflect the field and where graduates go to work as well as the program.
- Does Boise State University get a "lower earnings" warning on the FAFSA?
- No. In the Department of Education's March 2026 data, which the FAFSA uses now, Boise State University's graduates' median earnings four years after completing were $68,328, above the $35,094 median for high school graduates aged 25 to 34 in Idaho, so first-year students who list it do not see the lower-earnings notice. The figure describes the whole institution, not any one program.
Fields this college awarded credentials in
The 14 largest of 100 fields Boise State University reported, by credentials conferred in 2024-25, using the federal classification of each field. The level is the highest credential actually awarded, which is not always the one a field is best known for.
| Field | Awarded | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 510 | Graduate (155 graduate · 227 bachelor's · 128 certificate) |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 409 | Graduate (20 graduate · 389 bachelor's) |
| Business/Commerce, General | 359 | Bachelor's (311 bachelor's · 48 certificate) |
| Social Work | 329 | Graduate (262 graduate · 67 bachelor's) |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 304 | Graduate (26 graduate · 271 bachelor's · 7 certificate) |
| Communication and Media Studies | 231 | Bachelor's (198 bachelor's · 33 certificate) |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 227 | Bachelor's |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 221 | Bachelor's (2 bachelor's · 219 associate) |
| Psychology, General | 213 | Bachelor's |
| Marketing | 183 | Bachelor's (136 bachelor's · 47 certificate) |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 179 | Bachelor's (25 bachelor's · 154 certificate) |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 165 | Graduate (1 graduate · 122 bachelor's · 42 certificate) |
| Computer Science | 146 | Graduate (28 graduate · 113 bachelor's · 5 certificate) |
| Biology, General | 144 | Graduate (5 graduate · 139 bachelor's) |
Fields are as classified in the federal IPEDS completions collection, which records credentials already conferred. A field listed here was awarded in the reporting year; it does not confirm the program is currently admitting students, and a field CampusPin has no guide for is still shown under its official federal title. Confirm current offerings with the institution.
Explore more
Compare colleges side by side. All colleges in Idaho. Idaho college costs by family income. Student debt at Idaho colleges. Computer science major guide. Business major guide. Nursing major guide. Psychology in Idaho. Engineering major guide.
Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with Boise State University before applying.
Data sources & methodology
Reporting period: 2024. Last verified: June 10, 2026.
Facts on this profile of Boise State University are compiled from federal datasets and the institution's own published information.
Sources used across this page
Not every source informs every figure. Each data point draws on the source appropriate to it see the relevant section and the data dictionary for field-level provenance.
IPEDS / NCES College Navigator
Federal enrollment, admissions, tuition, retention, and program data. Released annually with a 1–2 year lag.
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Net price by income band, post-graduation earnings, and federal aid context.
Clery Act campus security reports
Annual campus security and fire-safety disclosures required of U.S. institutions.
Institutional websites
Each school's official admissions, registrar, and financial-aid pages are the authoritative source for current details.
Where a value is unavailable it is shown as unavailable, never as 0, free, or a negative judgment. Always confirm final details with the institution before applying.
Suggested citation
CampusPin. (2024). Boise State University, college profile. Retrieved from https://campuspin.com/schools/boise-state-university
About this information
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