Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Boise State vary significantly by field of study, with Computer Science and health programs delivering the strongest earnings while social sciences and liberal arts show more modest returns. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or enrollment popularity.
Analyzing 42 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that demonstrate exceptional national rankings, strong earnings outcomes, or outstanding value scores.
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Boise State University.
Computer Science stands out with $99,908 median earnings, ranking #90 nationally and #1 in Idaho. The program graduates 112 students annually with a solid value score of 51.4.
Mechanical Engineering produces $77,285 earnings for 93 graduates, ranking #177 nationally. While engineering programs show strong absolute earnings, they represent smaller portions of the university's enrollment compared to health and business disciplines.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | — | $112,120★ | — | 126 |
Program rankings reflect actual labor market outcomes measured through College Scorecard data, not institutional reputation or selectivity. Earnings figures represent median income of graduates ten years after enrollment, based on federal tax records. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall program performance. Rankings compare each program against all similar programs nationwide, providing objective performance benchmarks. Different outcomes within the same institution reflect varying labor market demand, program rigor, and career pathway differences rather than educational quality variations. Students should interpret these results alongside personal interests, graduate school plans, and long-term career goals when selecting academic programs.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | — | $100,680 | — | 37 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | — | $85,354 | — | 93 |
| Civil Engineering. | — | $81,405 | — | 39 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | — | $77,439 | — | 39 |
Business programs cluster around $50,000-$55,000 in median earnings with substantial enrollment. Business/Commerce General ranks #36 nationally with 207 graduates earning $52,988.
Business Administration graduates 178 students earning $52,621, while Accounting Technology produces $54,711 for 114 graduates. Digital Marketing shows moderate performance at $49,168 for 108 graduates.
These programs offer solid career preparation with consistent outcomes across specializations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management. | — | $95,250★ | — | 52 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | — | $70,449 | — | 78 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $69,257 | — | 101 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $66,283 | — | 181 |
| Marketing. | — | $65,040 | $26,664 | 105 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | — | $64,202 | $27,430 | 209 |
| International Business.Small sample | — | $62,964 | — | 17 |
| Business/Managerial Economics.Small sample | — | $49,436 | — | 11 |
Health programs represent Boise State's greatest strength, with multiple programs ranking in the top 15 nationally. Adult Health Nursing leads with $73,200 earnings and the university's largest cohort of 420 graduates.
Allied Health Diagnostic programs rank #9 nationally with $65,680 earnings and exceptional value scores. Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences rank #14 nationally despite more modest earnings of $48,573.
These programs consistently deliver strong outcomes with excellent job market preparation, making them ideal for students prioritizing career security and earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | — | $91,491★ | — | 509 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | — | $89,863 | — | 291 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | — | $60,164 | $30,585 | 180 |
| Public Health. | — | $42,188 | — | 60 |
Biology, General produces $42,767 earnings for 124 graduates, ranking #266 nationally and #2 in Idaho. The program shows modest earnings relative to other STEM fields, reflecting typical outcomes for life sciences programs that often serve as preparation for graduate study.
Students should consider graduate school continuation rates when evaluating biology program outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry. | — | $78,901★ | — | 39 |
| Applied Mathematics.Small sample | — | $75,336 | — | 14 |
| Physics.Small sample | — | $64,459 | — | 12 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.Small sample | — | $53,995 | — | 18 |
| Biology, General. | — | $49,570 | — | 148 |
| Mathematics.Small sample | — | $48,582 | — | 15 |
Psychology, General graduates 154 students earning $40,211, ranking #260 nationally with moderate debt levels of $24,850. American Government and Politics produces $45,739 for 98 graduates, ranking #229 nationally.
These programs provide solid liberal arts preparation though earnings remain below university averages, making them suitable for students planning graduate study or public service careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics.Small sample | — | $71,817★ | — | 16 |
| Political Science and Government. | — | $55,478 | — | 77 |
| Social Work. | — | $55,188 | — | 69 |
| Psychology, General. | — | $51,184 | $24,850 | 193 |
| Social Sciences, General.Small sample | — | $49,683 | — | 16 |
| Sociology. | — | $44,676 | — | 49 |
| Anthropology. | — | $36,830 | — | 22 |
Communication and Media Studies demonstrates exceptional value performance, ranking #79 nationally with 267 graduates earning $45,544 and achieving a strong value score of 69.4. This program ranks #1 in Idaho and represents one of the university's larger cohorts, indicating strong student demand combined with respectable career outcomes in media and communication fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies. | — | $53,278 | $15,932 | 183 |
History. leads humanities & arts with 50K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History. | — | $49,625★ | — | 31 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | — | $44,684 | — | 24 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | — | $42,527 | — | 106 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.Small sample | — | $15,922 | — | 11 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. leads education with 48K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | — | $47,505★ | — | 55 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $47,419 | — | 84 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | — | $35,772 | — | 26 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research. leads agriculture & environment with 51K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | — | $50,697 | — | 45 |
Corrections Administration graduates 132 students earning $41,106, ranking #151 nationally and #1 in Idaho. The program shows consistent performance in the criminal justice field with earnings aligned to public safety career expectations.
Students should evaluate this program in context of public service career goals rather than purely financial outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | — | $50,297 | — | 116 |
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies produces $47,673 earnings for 105 graduates, ranking #48 nationally and #1 in Idaho with a strong value score of 44.7. The Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary program serves 228 students earning $42,954, ranking #9 nationally and designed for students with developmental disabilities.
These programs demonstrate institutional commitment to diverse student populations and specialized educational needs.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | — | $65,089★ | — | 90 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | — | $51,708 | — | 158 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
