Boise State Enrollment Tops 28,500 Students
Idaho residents make up 69% of the fall 2026 student body at Boise State University.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in College Applications
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Boise State University enrolled 28,536 students in fall 2026, with Idaho residents accounting for 69% and out-of-state students 31%. The university also enrolled 2,305 new first-time Idaho students, the largest Idaho incoming class in its history.
Why it matters
The growth reflects Boise State's push to keep Idaho students in state and attract out-of-state students through tuition agreements and scholarships. For Idaho families, in-state options offer a lower-cost alternative to out-of-state tuition.
In-state tuition at Boise State is $9,789, compared with $29,477 for out-of-state students before scholarships. Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) savings average $16,339 per year for eligible students from participating states.
The players
Boise State University
Boise State University is a public research university in Boise, Idaho, and the state's largest university by enrollment.
The details
Boise State's enrollment figures are published on its Facts and Figures page. Students from California, Washington and Oregon are the leading sources of out-of-state enrollment, and WUE lets qualifying students from participating Western states attend at a reduced rate.
Timeline
Fall 2022 served as the baseline for enrollment growth comparisons.
The Strategic Enrollment and Retention plan runs from 2023 through 2027.
Fall 2026 enrollment was reported at 28,536 students.
Roadmap
The fall 2026 enrollment figures fall within Boise State's Strategic Enrollment and Retention plan, which covers 2023 through 2027. The incoming class growth since fall 2022 places the university on the trajectory that plan sets out.
Idaho students weighing Boise State face a choice between in-state tuition of $9,789 and out-of-state tuition of $29,477 before scholarships. Students from participating Western states may qualify for WUE savings of about $16,339 per year.
The takeaway
Comparing in-state tuition with WUE and other scholarship options can significantly change the cost of attending a public university. Students should review tuition tables and scholarship eligibility before choosing where to apply.
Further reading
Explore more on College Applications for context on how students in Idaho choose schools.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Arbiter.
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