As an Opportunity Builder institution, Boise State combines accessible admission with earnings performance that exceeds expectations based on student demographics. The university's strength in health and technical programs, coupled with manageable debt levels, supports long-term economic mobility for diverse student populations.
In the above-average tier, driven by earnings outcomes that exceed expectations based on student demographics
In the above-average tier, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisBoise State delivers above-average earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and institutional characteristics. Graduates earn a median of $51,658 ten years after enrollment, around the national average at the 45th percentile.
Earnings range from $32,650 at the 25th percentile to $76,483 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across health, business, and technical disciplines. The institution generates $4,479 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 72.3rd percentile nationally on this measure, indicating strong value-added performance.
Students seeking accessible higher education with strong health and technical program outcomes. Well-suited for first-generation students (33.5%) and working adults, given the high transfer enrollment (36.4%).
Boise State's combination of open admission, manageable debt levels, and specialized program strengths makes it a solid choice for career-focused students prioritizing practical outcomes over prestige.
Boise State admits approximately 84.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Boise State in the Open Access category, indicating broad educational opportunity for students across academic preparation levels.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows Boise State is slightly more accessible than similar public institutions, admitting about 6 percentage points more applicants than typical peers. This open admission approach reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including working adults, transfer students, and first-generation college students.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Boise State's published cost of attendance is $25,387 per year, including $26,976 in out-of-state tuition, $8,782 for in-state tuition, $16,610 for room and board, and $1,226 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $19,182 after financial aid, representing $6,205 in savings from the sticker price.
This net price falls $3,592 below the peer median of $15,590, making Boise State more expensive than similar public institutions. The gap between published and actual costs demonstrates meaningful financial aid distribution, though the aid appears less generous than at comparable universities.
Idaho residents benefit significantly from the lower in-state tuition rate, paying approximately $18,000 less annually than out-of-state students before aid calculations. The total cost structure reflects typical public university pricing with substantial room and board expenses comprising the majority of non-tuition costs.
Students should budget for additional expenses beyond the published figures, including transportation, personal expenses, and program-specific fees that vary by major. The financial aid savings of $6,205 indicates institutional commitment to affordability, though students should compare net prices rather than sticker prices when making enrollment decisions.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
61 graduates
Computer Science.
112 graduates
Construction Management, General.
45 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
93 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
420 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Cincinnati-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#473 ranked) | OH | 88% | $54,810 | #473 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Boise State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/boise-state-university/analysis.
Strong mobility outcomes with open access
Boise State University ranks #479 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance in the strong tier at the 77.7th percentile. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public university maintains open admission standards with an 84.0% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations.
Boise State enrolls 17.9% Pell-eligible students and 33.5% first-generation students, with transfer students comprising 36.4% of enrollment, indicating strong appeal to non-traditional learners. Graduates earn $4,479 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 72.3rd percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $51,658 ten years after enrollment, placing Boise State around the national average at the 45th percentile. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $8,885 less annually.
However, median student debt of $20,500 falls $500 below the peer median, creating favorable debt-to-earnings conditions. This combination of accessible admission, controlled borrowing, and earnings performance above student demographic expectations positions Boise State as an Opportunity Builder institution.
The high acceptance rate means that meeting basic admission requirements typically results in acceptance, though students should still submit complete applications and meet published deadlines. For students building college lists, Boise State represents a reliable option with predictable admission outcomes.
The university's accessibility combined with strong program outcomes in health and technical fields makes it an attractive safety school for students also applying to more selective institutions. Students should focus application efforts on demonstrating fit with specific programs rather than competing for limited admission slots.
Boise State graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early to mid-career period. Median earnings rise from $45,251 six years after enrollment to $50,005 at eight years and $51,658 at ten years, representing 14.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,732 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across the university's diverse program portfolio. Graduates earn $4,479 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Boise State in the 72.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.
This value-added performance indicates the institution's effectiveness in developing student potential beyond what demographics alone would predict. Low-income graduates earn $39,700, demonstrating meaningful economic outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The earnings distribution spans from $32,650 at the 25th percentile to $76,483 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 26.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
The university's open admission policy combined with above-average earnings uplift demonstrates effective educational value creation.
Boise State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science leads earnings at $99,908 with 112 graduates, ranking #90 nationally and #1 in Idaho.
Adult Health Nursing produces the largest cohort with 420 graduates earning $73,200, ranking #111 nationally and #1 in Idaho with a strong value score of 59.9. Allied Health Diagnostic programs rank exceptionally well at #9 nationally and #1 in Idaho, graduating 233 students with median earnings of $65,680 and an outstanding value score of 89.2.
Communication and Media Studies demonstrates strong value performance at #79 nationally with 267 graduates earning $45,544 and a value score of 69.4. Business/Commerce General ranks #36 nationally with 207 graduates earning $52,988.
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences ranks #14 nationally despite moderate earnings of $48,573 for 238 graduates. The university shows particular strength in health-related fields, with multiple programs ranking #1 in Idaho and achieving top-50 national performance.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#475 ranked) | LA | 94% | $47,021 | #475 | Compare |
University Of Oregon Similar quality tier in West (#479 ranked) | OR | 85% | $61,324 | #479 | Compare |
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#462 ranked) | PA | 79% | $61,258 | #462 | Compare |
Troy University Similar quality tier (#486 ranked) | AL | 93% | $42,062 | #486 | Compare |
