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Boise State University

Boise State University is a public university in a midsize city in the Boise City, ID metro with 23,491 students and a 87% acceptance rate.

Boise, Idaho · Public · City, midsize · 23,491 students · R2 research university

NCAA Division I · Mountain West Conference

Admission rate

87%

of applicants admitted

Average net price

$21,610

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

60%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

78%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$51,658

10 years after entry

Students

23,491

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines

PlanDeadline
Regular decision
The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding.		December 1, 2026
Regular decisionMay 1, 2027

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: boisestate.edu · checked September 19, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$18,165
$30,001–48,000$17,974
$48,001–75,000$20,731
$75,001–110,000$23,573
Over $110,000$25,893

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreBoise State University courseCredits
Calculus AB3MATH 1704 credits
Calculus BC3MATH 170, 1758 credits
Biology3BIOL 100XFN, 100XF8 credits
Chemistry3CHEM 101, 100XF4 credits
English Language and Composition3ENGL 1013 credits
English Literature and Composition3ENGL 1753 credits
United States History3HIST 111, 1126 credits
Psychology3PSYC 1013 credits
Show all 38 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus AB3MATH 1704 credits
Calculus BC3MATH 170, 1758 credits
Biology3BIOL 100XFN, 100XF8 credits
Biology4BIOL 191, 100XFN8 credits
Biology5BIOL 191, 1928 credits
Chemistry3CHEM 101, 100XF4 credits
Chemistry4CHEM 111, 100XF4 credits
English Language and Composition3ENGL 1013 credits
English Language and Composition5ENGL 101, 1026 credits
English Literature and Composition3ENGL 1753 credits
English Literature and Composition5ENGL 175, 100XF6 credits
United States History3HIST 111, 1126 credits
Psychology3PSYC 1013 credits
Statistics3MATH 2543 credits
Computer Science A3CS 1214 credits
Macroeconomics3ECON 2013 credits
Microeconomics3ECON 2023 credits
World History: Modern3HIST 1013 credits
Environmental Science3ENVSTD 1213 credits
European History3HIST 1043 credits
Human Geography3GEOG 1023 credits
United States Government and Politics3POLS 1013 credits
Computer Science Principles3CS 1013 credits
Art History3ART 1003 credits
Music Theory3MUS 100XF3 credits
2-D Art and Design3ART 100XF3 credits
3-D Art and Design3ART 100XF3 credits
African American Studies3HIST 100XF3 credits
Business with Personal Finance3BUS 100XF3 credits
Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish Language and Culture3101, 1026-8
Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish Language and Culture4101, 102, 2019-12
Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish Language and Culture5101, 102, 201, 20212-16
Comparative Government and Politics3POLS 100XF3 credits
Cybersecurity3CPS 1003 credits
Drawing3ART 100XF3 credits
Italian Language and Culture3FORLNG 100XFH8 credits
Italian Language and Culture4FORLNG 100XFH, 200XFH12 credits
Italian Language and Culture5FORLNG 100XFH, 200XFH16 credits
Latin3LATIN 100XF3 credits
Latin4LATIN 2114 credits
Latin5LATIN 2124 credits
Physics 1: Algebra-Based3PHYS 1114 credits
Physics 2: Algebra-Based3PHYS 100XF4 credits
Physics 2: Algebra-Based4PHYS 1124 credits
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3PHYS 100XF5 credits
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism4PHYS 212, 212L5 credits
Physics C: Mechanics3PHYS 211, 211L5 credits
Precalculus3MATH 143, 1445 credits
Research3GENED 100XF3 credits
Seminar3UF 1003 credits
Spanish Literature and Culture3SPANISH 300XF3 credits
Spanish Literature and Culture5SPANISH 3043 credits

Source: boisestate.edu · checked September 19, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse386
Business/Commerce293
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other201
Psychology186
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist174
Business Administration and Management167
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies141
Speech Communication and Rhetoric140
Show the other 75 majors
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology127
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies124
Biology/Biological Sciences124
Computer Science109
Marketing/Marketing Management103
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer96
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other93
Accounting91
Elementary Education and Teaching90
Finance81
Construction Management69
Communication and Media Studies, Other68
Mechanical Engineering64
Civil Engineering60
Cybersecurity Defense Strategy/Policy58
Social Work54
Political Science and Government52
Game and Interactive Media Design45
Electrical and Electronics Engineering44
Public Health34
Environmental Studies33
Sociology32
Design and Visual Communications32
Creative Writing31
Chemistry27
Commercial and Advertising Art27
History26
Film/Cinema/Media Studies26
Education26
International Business/Trade/Commerce24
Information Technology23
Engineering21
Mathematics21
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management21
Geology/Earth Science19
Social Sciences18
Physics17
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication16
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs15
Spanish Language and Literature15
Rhetoric and Composition15
English/Language Arts Teacher Education14
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching13
Materials Engineering13
Anthropology13
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts13
Business/Managerial Economics13
General Literature12
International/Globalization Studies12
Business Analytics12
Bilingual and Multilingual Education10
History Teacher Education9
Art Teacher Education8
Applied Mathematics8
Economics8
Linguistics7
Music Performance6
Music6
Urban Studies/Affairs6
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics6
Philosophy5
Music Teacher Education5
Digital Humanities4
German Language and Literature4
Special Education and Teaching4
Music Theory and Composition2
Art History, Criticism and Conservation2
German Language Teacher Education2
Social Science Teacher Education2
Early Childhood Education and Teaching2
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other1
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs1
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other1
Drama and Dance Teacher Education1
French Language and Literature1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Mountain West Conference

Basketball, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Mountain West Conference

Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball

ROTC

Army

Faith groups

Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection

Also

Honors college, Study abroad

Greek life

34% of men in fraternities · 15% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2018–19)

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), bsucru.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

City, midsize

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Boise City, ID

845,877 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

No

More about the place

Nearest airport

Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI)

Nearest hub airport

Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 11.7 of 20

Elevation

2,695 ft

Time zone

Mountain

January low

26°F

July high

93°F

Annual snowfall

17.6 in

Days at 90°F or higher

55 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,350 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size