Boise State vs. Idaho

Comparable Facts

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

Boise State University is larger than Idaho based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 12,286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); University of Idaho is in Moscow, ID (Rural Fringe setting).
• Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Idaho is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; University of Idaho 18:1.

Boise State vs. Idaho Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or Idaho? 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 University of Idaho than Boise State ($15,111 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Idaho are 24.5% lower than at Boise State University ($11,243 vs. $14,884).
• University of Idaho is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boise State (about $36 more per year; $9,084.00 vs. $9,048.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Idaho than at Boise State University (about $532 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $27,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at Boise State University (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Boise State University students ($12,568 vs. $9,507).

Boise State vs. Idaho Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or Idaho? 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 Idaho and Boise State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boise State University (1120) is 10 points higher than at Idaho (1110).
• Incoming Boise State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Idaho (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210; University of Idaho 990/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26; University of Idaho 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Test-free; Idaho - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Idaho students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Boise State (3.37).
• Boise State has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Idaho (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Boise State vs. 19.9% at Idaho.

Boise State vs. Idaho Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boise State and Idaho? 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).

• University of Idaho's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Idaho earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Boise State University graduates have a $1,350 lower median loan debt than Idaho graduates ($22,929 vs. $24,279).
• Among borrowers, Boise State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Idaho graduates ($237 vs. $251).
• More Idaho graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.