Boise State vs. ISU

Should I go to Boise State University or Idaho State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Boise State or ISU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Idaho Washington State MSU UO Portland State University CSU University of Nevada-Reno Utah State University NNU BYU-I The University of Montana Utah
Boise State University vs. Idaho State University comparison
Boise State University Idaho State University College 3 College 4
Boise State University Idaho State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Boise State ISU
Location Boise, ID Pocatello, ID
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 26,115 12,301
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #899
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website boisestate.edu isu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Boise State ISU
Tuition (In State) $5,532 $5,928
Tuition (Out of State) $22,869 $23,906
Room & Board $13,841 $7,626
Avg Net Price $17,724 $12,425
Avg Grant Aid $9,892 $9,145
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

Boise State ISU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,795 -
Admitted 14,096 -
Acceptance Rate 83.9% Open
Enrolled % 22.2% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/26
SAT Range 1030/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Boise State ISU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Biology (5%)

Outcomes

Boise State ISU
Graduation Rate 29% 26%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,929 $22,950
Median Loan Payment $237 $237

Diversity

Boise State ISU
% Men 42% 40%
% Women 58% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 67%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 11% 10%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 5% 14%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Boise State ISU
% In-State 59% 87%
% Out-of-State 40% 10%

Campus

Boise State ISU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Boise State University is larger than than ISU based on total student enrollment (26,115 students vs. 12,301 students)

Boise State vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or ISU?

  • Idaho State University is 7.2% more expensive to attend than Boise State for in-state tuition ($5,928.00 vs. $5,532.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.5% higher at ISU than Boise State University ($23,906.00 vs. $22,869.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Idaho State University than Boise State ($12,425 vs. $17,724)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 81.5% lower than costs at Boise State University ($7,626 vs. $13,841)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Idaho State University than Boise State University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boise State University students is 8.2% larger than aid received Idaho State University ($9,892 vs. $9,145)

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or ISU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ISU or Boise State .

  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Boise State (3.37)

Boise State vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Boise State or ISU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ISU and Boise State.

  • The graduation rate at Boise State is higher than Idaho State University (29% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Idaho State University earn on average $700 more per year than Boise State graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $41,600)
  • Boise State University students graduate with a $21 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($22,929 vs. $22,950)
  • Idaho State University and Boise State graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($237 vs. $237)
  • More Boise State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/