Boise State vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

Boise State University is larger than University of Nevada-Reno based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 23,024 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); University of Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

Boise State vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno than Boise State ($17,226 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 2.6% lower than at Boise State University ($14,496 vs. $14,884).
• University of Nevada Reno is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boise State (about $530 more per year; $9,578.00 vs. $9,048.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Boise State than at University of Nevada Reno (about $68 more per year; $27,788.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at Boise State University (93% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boise State University students is 28.9% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($9,507 vs. $7,375).

Boise State vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada-Reno and Boise State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Reno (1180) is 60 points higher than at Boise State (1120).
• Incoming Boise State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Nevada-Reno students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Boise State (3.37).
• Boise State has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Boise State vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

Boise State vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boise State and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $4,128 lower median loan debt than Boise State graduates ($18,801 vs. $22,929).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boise State graduates ($194 vs. $237).
• More University of Nevada-Reno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.