Boise State University
Boise State University is a public metropolitan research university in Idaho's capital, enrolling about 25,000 undergraduates a short walk from downtown along the Boise River. Admission is accessible and driven almost entirely by grades: Boise State admits roughly 84% of applicants and weighs high school GPA as its one very important factor. The university is test-optional, and out-of-state students actually fare slightly better than Idaho residents at the point of admission. Business and the health professions are its two largest fields, together accounting for nearly half of all bachelor's degrees.
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Boise State admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Boise State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Boise State is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How Boise State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Boise State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $18,737 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Boise State admissions
What is Boise State's acceptance rate?＋
Boise State admitted about 84% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing roughly 17,600 first-year applications and enrolling around 3,900 students. It is an accessible university, and admission for most applicants is based primarily on a single number: your high school GPA.
What GPA do you need to get into Boise State?＋
GPA is the factor that matters most at Boise State, the only one it rates as very important in its admission review. The university does not weigh class rank or course rigor the same way, so your transcript grades carry the decision. A solid B-range GPA generally puts you in strong position for admission.
Is Boise State test-optional?＋
Yes. Boise State does not require SAT or ACT scores, and most applicants are admitted on GPA alone. If you do submit scores they are considered alongside your transcript; among recently enrolled first-years who tested, the middle range ran roughly 960–1180 on the SAT and 20–26 on the ACT.
What are my chances of getting into Boise State from out of state?＋
They are good — slightly better than for Idaho residents, in fact. In Fall 2024, Boise State admitted about 91% of out-of-state applicants versus 85% of in-state applicants, and out-of-state students make up roughly 37% of the student body. Residency is not weighed against you in the admission decision.
How much does Boise State cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $9,051 for Idaho residents and $27,788 for out-of-state students, among the lower in-state prices in the Mountain West. Around 39% of first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average package near $14,953.
What are the most popular majors at Boise State?＋
Business and marketing is the largest field at about 23% of bachelor's degrees, with the health professions close behind near 22%. The biological sciences, interdisciplinary studies, psychology, communication, education, and engineering round out the most-awarded programs.
Does the essay matter at Boise State?＋
It plays a supporting role. Boise State weighs the application essay as a considered factor alongside recommendations and any test scores, below the GPA that drives the decision. For applicants near the margin or applying to a competitive program, a clear, specific essay can help tip a holistic review in your favor.
Source: Boise State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. Middle 50% SAT and Middle 50% ACT are from the 2024-2025 edition. Out-of-State Students, In-State Cost, Out-of-State Cost, and First-Years On Campus are from the 2023-2024 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Boise State. Banner photo by Rickmouser45, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).