At $19,182/yr net price, Boise State University graduates earn $51,658/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,658/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,182 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $76,728 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,658/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,658/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,387/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,200/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,197/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,131/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,767/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $76,208 | $26,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,047 | $32,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $74,786 | $40,804 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $72,274 | $23,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $65,621 | $17,033 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $63,600 | $25,650 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $60,240 | $16,551 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $60,025 | $24,667 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $59,417 | $17,484 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $58,673 | $19,823 |
The Risk Factor
61.9% of students at Boise State University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Boise State's financial return is solid, and the median debt of $20,500 is low enough that you're unlikely to leave with a payment that swallows your paycheck. The median earnings sit close to that debt figure, which is the ratio you want: pay off roughly a year's salary in loans, not three.
Your major decides everything here. Computer Science and Electrical Engineering both clear $75,000, and Construction Management is right behind at $72,274, which fits Boise's fast-growing housing and commercial building market. Nursing pays $65,621 while leaving you with only about $17,000 in debt, one of the best cost-to-earnings trades on this list. Allied Health follows the same low-debt, decent-pay pattern. Note that Electrical Engineering's $32,250 debt load is the highest of the top programs, so its high salary comes with a heavier upfront cost than nursing or construction.
The risk is that the school's median earnings land well below its top programs. If you graduate into a lower-paying field, you're looking at $51,658, not $76,000, and the debt stays the same. A 61.9% graduation rate also means a real chance you pay for years without finishing, and unfinished degrees rarely pay off.
This school works for you if you're aiming at tech, engineering, construction, or healthcare and plan to stay in the Boise region, where those industries are hiring. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-earning majors, weigh a cheaper option.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay about $15,400, and the number barely moves until you cross $48,000, after which it climbs past $22,000 for households over $110,000. Lower-income families get a meaningful discount here. higher earners pay close to sticker and should compare against in-state alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise State University worth the money?
Boise State offers solid value for Idaho residents with a net price of $19,182 and median debt of $20,500. The 10-year earnings average of $51,658 means most graduates can reasonably pay off their loans, though this varies significantly by major.
What are the highest paying majors at Boise State University?
Computer Science ($76,208), Electrical Engineering ($75,047), and Business Administration ($74,786) offer the strongest earning potential at Boise State. These technical programs provide returns well above the school's overall average.
How much debt do Boise State University graduates have?
Boise State graduates carry a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable compared to many four-year schools. With average earnings of $51,658 ten years after graduation, most students can handle this debt load.
Does Boise State University have a good graduation rate?
Boise State's 62% graduation rate is below the national average for four-year schools. This means about 4 in 10 students don't finish their degree, which represents both lost time and potential debt without the earning benefits of graduation.