CSU vs. Boise State

Comparable Facts

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

Boise State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (27,198 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Boise State University is in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Boise State University 20:1.

CSU vs. Boise State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Boise State? 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 California State University Chico than Boise State ($14,630 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boise State University are 9.8% lower than at California State University Chico ($14,884 vs. $16,500).
• Boise State University is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $576 more per year; $9,048.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at Boise State than at California State University Chico (about $6,716 more per year; $27,788.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boise State University than at California State University Chico (76% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 21.1% larger than aid received by Boise State University students ($11,509 vs. $9,507).

CSU vs. Boise State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boise State University (1120) is 50 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming Boise State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Boise State University 1030/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Boise State University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Boise State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Boise State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have the same average high school GPA (3.37) as students at Boise State (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Boise State (87.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 24.1% at Boise State.

CSU vs. Boise State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $5,929 lower median loan debt than Boise State graduates ($17,000 vs. $22,929).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boise State graduates ($175 vs. $237).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.