Boise State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Boise, Idaho · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Boise State University is a public university in Boise, Idaho that admits about 87% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $21,610 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Business/Commerce, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 59% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Boise State University is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho. For the most recent reporting cycle, Boise State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 87%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,610 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Boise State University?
53% of enrolled students at Boise State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.44, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Boise State University weight in admissions?
Boise State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores Boise State University typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
| 25th percentile | 960 |
| 50th percentile | — |
| 75th percentile | 1180 |
| % submitting SAT | 49% |
| 25th percentile | 20 |
| 50th percentile | — |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 5% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does Boise State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,048 for in-state students and $27,788 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,884 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $21,610 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $21,610 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Boise State University
| Regular deadline | 8/1 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Boise State University?
These predict outcomes at Boise State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Boise State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Boise State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Business/Commerce, General. Across all programs, Boise State University confers roughly 1,904 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $82,246 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 509 | $82,246 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 291 | $76,056 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 209 | $59,854 |
| Psychology, General | 193 | $45,664 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 183 | $54,946 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 181 | $67,814 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 180 | $59,941 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 158 | $53,063 |
Is Boise State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Boise State University disclosed 38 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 8 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Idaho parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- Washington State University87% acceptance · Washington
- Salisbury University87% acceptance · Maryland
- University of Hawaii at Manoa87% acceptance · Hawaii
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln87% acceptance · Nebraska
- Transylvania University87% acceptance · Kentucky
- University of New Hampshire-Main Campus88% acceptance · New Hampshire
- University of Arizona86% acceptance · Arizona
Next steps for Boise State University
Common questions parents ask about Boise State University
What GPA do I need for Boise State University?
53% of enrolled students at Boise State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.44, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Boise State University typically admit?
Boise State University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does Boise State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Boise State University after grants and scholarships is $21,610 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,048 and $27,788 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Boise State University realistic for my child?
Boise State University admits 87% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $21,610 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Boise State University?
Boise State University accepts about 87% of applicants out of roughly 16,082 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Boise State University test-optional?
Yes. Boise State University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Boise State University?
About 59% of students at Boise State University graduate within six years. 79% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Boise State University look for in applicants?
Boise State University rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Boise State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Boise State University is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho.
What are the most popular majors at Boise State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Boise State University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Business/Commerce, General. The school awards about 1,904 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Boise State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Boise State University reported 38 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Boise State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers