Boise State vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Boise State University in Boise, ID with Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Boise State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 13,061 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

Boise State vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or ISU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Idaho State University than Boise State ($12,174 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 47% lower than at Boise State University ($7,882 vs. $14,884).
• Boise State University is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $438 more per year; $9,048.00 vs. $8,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Boise State than at Idaho State University (about $68 more per year; $27,788.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Boise State University (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boise State University students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($9,507 vs. $9,217).

Boise State vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or ISU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ISU and Boise State.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Test-free; ISU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027.
• 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

How do outcomes compare for Boise State and ISU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Boise State University's six-year graduation rate (29%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Idaho State University earn a median of about $700 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boise State University graduates have a $21 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,929 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Idaho State University and Boise State graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.