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Boise , ID
Boise State University, located in Boise, Idaho, is a renowned public research university that offers a wide range of academic programs and opportunities for students. The university was established in 1932 and has since grown into one of the largest institutions of higher education in the state with a diverse student body. Known for its academic excellence, Boise State offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs across seven colleges, including business, engineering, arts and sciences, education, health sciences, and social sciences.
One of the defining features of Boise State University is its strong emphasis on research and innovation. With state-of-the-art research facilities and a supportive faculty, students have numerous opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research across a variety of fields. The university is particularly recognized for its cutting-edge research in areas such as materials science, computing, STEM education, and public policy. Boise State also fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, supporting students in starting their own businesses and offering a range of resources and programs to nurture innovation and creativity.
In addition to its academic offerings, Boise State University boasts a vibrant campus life with a wide range of extracurricular activities. With over 200 student organizations, including clubs focused on academics, sports, arts, culture, and community service, students have ample opportunities to pursue their passions and engage with like-minded individuals. The campus hosts various cultural events, speakers, and performances throughout the year, contributing to a lively and inclusive community. With numerous outdoor opportunities in the surrounding area, including hiking, biking, and skiing, Boise State also offers an ideal setting for students who appreciate an active lifestyle and a connection to nature.
Boise State University is a public university located in Boise, ID and set in an urban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 87%. The freshman retention rate at Boise State University is 78.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 59%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 1. The transfer application deadline is July 1.
Read more about what Boise State University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
24,030
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
59%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Discover some vital facts about admission policy and requirements at Boise State University.
In 2025, the school accepted 14,025 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
48.7% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 4.97% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.44. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by August 1. If you are thinking about applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Boise State University was 78.9%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 59%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 27,250 students.
There was a total of 24,030 undergraduate students, including 121 international students. 1,489 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 6,576 male and 8,803 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. There were 433 full-time graduate male and 755 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 463, and the number of African American students was 384. 2,806 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 980 identified with more than one race. The school also had 77 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 106 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 511 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Boise State University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Boise State University estimated tuition fees.
Tuition fees for area resident were $6,119, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $24,856 in 2025. If you are an international student at Boise State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $24,856, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $2,932 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $24,856 | $2,932 | $27,788 |
| In-State | $6,119 | $2,932 | $9,051 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to spend about $800 for books and supplies during their time at Boise State University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Boise State University was $10,648 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 stood at $4,900 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,119 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,648 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,567 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Boise State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 1,605 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $11,341.11.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
4,726 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Boise State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 6,773. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $22,640,495, and state $6,340,282. The students of Boise State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $10,891,788, and external in the amount of $2,726,181.
$3,006
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 255 students overall (including freshmen) at Boise State University in 2025. 104 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $22,640,495 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $57,682. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $2,705,941. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,172,425 USD.
Majors
Faculty
None:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
This school has recently reported to have 1,470 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 600 men and 750 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Boise State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Boise State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Boise State University.
Its campus spans 287 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 300. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the Boise State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Boise State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Boise State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Boise State University.
All in all, campus life at Boise State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Boise State University.
Career Counselling
There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Boise State University is located in Boise, ID.
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Boise State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Boise State University is 87%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Boise State University is 78.9%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.