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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 educational institution operates on 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.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Boise State University.
Quick Facts
24,030
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
59%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. What are the admission requirements for Boise State University?
In 2025, the school accepted 14,025 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 48.7% and ACT scores 4.97%. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.44. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Boise State University.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to this school is August 1. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Boise State University was 78.9%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. 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. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Boise State University in 2025 was 27,250.
The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 24,030, 121 of which were international students. The school admitted a total of 1,489 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 is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. This school had 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. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 463, while the number of African American students was 384. 2,806 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 980 identified with more than one race. The school also had 77 students who declared 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
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $6,119 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $24,856 in 2025. Tuition costs at Boise State University for international students came to $24,856. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,932.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $24,856 | $2,932 | $27,788 |
| In-State | $6,119 | $2,932 | $9,051 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. Most students have to allocate about $800 for books and supplies during their time at Boise State University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Boise State University was $10,648 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $4,900, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,119 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,648 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 17,567 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding 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 figures show that financial help was given to 1,605 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $11,341.11.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
4,726 students were awarded 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 overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 6,773. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $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
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of 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. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 104 full-time freshman. 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 institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need 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 ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent information, there are 1,470 teachers at this school. This number included 600 male and 750 female faculty members. 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
Not everything at Boise State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about campus life at Boise State University.
It has a campus size of 287 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 300 open-membership organizations at Boise State University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. If you are interested in music, you can join the Boise State University band or chorus. For individuals with a passion for acting, there is a drama club available. Interested in 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 that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health 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 highly beneficial 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 data indicate that the 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.
