Boise State University vs Brigham Young University-Idaho
Admission Difficulty: BYU-Idaho accepts 96% of applicants compared to Boise State's 84%, making both accessible but BYU-Idaho slightly easier to enter.
Cost and Value: BYU-Idaho offers significantly lower costs at $4,656 annually regardless of residency, while Boise State charges $8,782 for in-state and $26,976 for out-of-state students. BYU-Idaho's average net price of $7,131 is substantially lower than Boise State's $19,182. Graduates from both schools earn similar amounts after 10 years ($53,406 vs $51,658), but BYU-Idaho students graduate with less debt ($13,969 vs $20,500).
Academic Strengths: Boise State maintains a slightly better student-faculty ratio at 19:1 compared to BYU-Idaho's 20:1. Boise State offers NCAA Division I athletics and research opportunities as a larger research university. BYU-Idaho focuses on undergraduate education with a structured academic calendar.
Campus Experience: Boise State enrolls 17,081 students in an urban setting with diverse student life options. BYU-Idaho serves 42,090 students in rural Rexburg with a faith-centered environment and honor code requirements.
Outcomes: Boise State achieves higher graduation rates (62% vs 55%) and retention rates (78% vs 70%), indicating stronger academic support and student satisfaction.
Students seeking affordable education with LDS values and rural campus life fit BYU-Idaho better, while those wanting urban opportunities, research involvement, and Division I athletics should choose Boise State.
Admission Difficulty: BYU-Idaho accepts 96% of applicants compared to Boise State's 84%, making both accessible but BYU-Idaho slightly easier to enter.
Cost and Value: BYU-Idaho offers significantly lower costs at $4,656 annually regardless of residency, while Boise State charges $8,782 for in-state and $26,976 for out-of-state students. BYU-Idaho's average net price of $7,131 is substantially lower than Boise State's $19,182. Graduates from both schools earn similar amounts after 10 years ($53,406 vs $51,658), but BYU-Idaho students graduate with less debt ($13,969 vs $20,500).
Academic Strengths: Boise State maintains a slightly better student-faculty ratio at 19:1 compared to BYU-Idaho's 20:1. Boise State offers NCAA Division I athletics and research opportunities as a larger research university. BYU-Idaho focuses on undergraduate education with a structured academic calendar.
Campus Experience: Boise State enrolls 17,081 students in an urban setting with diverse student life options. BYU-Idaho serves 42,090 students in rural Rexburg with a faith-centered environment and honor code requirements.
Outcomes: Boise State achieves higher graduation rates (62% vs 55%) and retention rates (78% vs 70%), indicating stronger academic support and student satisfaction.
Students seeking affordable education with LDS values and rural campus life fit BYU-Idaho better, while those wanting urban opportunities, research involvement, and Division I athletics should choose Boise State.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Boise State University | Brigham Young University-Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 83.9% | 95.6% |
| SAT Average | 1,095 | |
| Enrollment | 17,081 | 42,090 |
| In-State Tuition | $8,782 | $4,656 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $26,976 | $4,656 |
| Net Price | $19,182 | $7,131 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.9% | 55.1% |
| Retention Rate | 77.9% | 69.6% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $51,658 | $53,406 |
| Median Debt | $20,500 | $13,969 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Boise State University | Brigham Young University-Idaho | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Science. | $76,208 | Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | $80,336 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $75,047 | Computer Science. | $77,966 |
| Construction Management. | $72,274 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $73,635 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $65,621 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $66,653 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $60,240 | Mechanical Engineering. | $64,493 |