Boise State Enrollment Hits Record 28,536 as In-State Share Rises
Idaho residents now make up 69% of the student body, with fall 2026 incoming classes marking the largest cohort of state students in university history.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Boise State University enrolled 28,536 students for the fall 2026 term, according to the university's Facts and Figures page. The total represents a 9.1 percent increase from the fall 2022 semester. Idaho residents now constitute 69 percent of the student population, while 31 percent are from out of state.
The university recorded its largest incoming class of Idaho residents in its history during the fall 2026 term. Boise State welcomed 2,305 new first-time students from the state. This figure marks a 25.9 percent increase compared to the fall 2022 incoming class of Idaho residents.
The shift toward a higher in-state demographic has influenced how students perceive the campus. Raima Ragesh, a sophomore studying political science, initially planned to attend college outside of Idaho. She applied to several schools across the country before selecting Boise State. Ragesh said that meeting out-of-state students during her campus tour helped alleviate her concern about only attending school with high school acquaintances.
Cost considerations remain a primary factor for many Idaho students. Ethan Allen, a senior from Idaho Falls majoring in political science, cited scholarship opportunities as the reason he stayed in state. Allen stated he wanted to avoid student debt associated with out-of-state tuition and fees. He noted that his scholarship options were more favorable within Idaho.
Out-of-state students continue to represent nearly one-third of the total enrollment. California, Washington, and Oregon are the most prominent states represented among the non-resident population. The cost difference between in-state and out-of-students is substantial. In-state tuition is set at $9,789, while out-of-state tuition costs $29,477, excluding scholarships.
The Western Undergraduate Exchange, or WUE, offers a reduced tuition rate for qualifying students from participating Western states. At Boise State, the WUE agreement provides approximately $16,339 in annual savings. Participating states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Students from Guam and American Samoa may also qualify.
Eligibility for the WUE scholarship is not automatic for residents of participating states. Most eligible majors require a 3.5 unweighted high school GPA, while nursing students must maintain a 3.9 GPA. Specific programs, including Construction Management, Radiological Science, Pre-radiological Science, fully online programs, and some alternative fee programs, are not eligible for the reduction.
Cass Metz, a sophomore from Fort Collins, Colorado, double majoring in human resources and business administration, attributed her decision to attend Boise State partly to the WUE scholarship. Metz described the tuition cost as courageous and noted that education prices rise annually without a corresponding improvement in quality.
The university's Strategic Enrollment and Retention plan for 2023 to 2027 aims to make degrees more accessible to Idaho students. The plan targets specific groups, including first-generation students, those eligible for Pell Grants, Latino students, and students from rural areas. The strategy also focuses on retention and helping students complete their degree paths.
Allen, who is now a senior, said the diverse student body allows him to meet people from various backgrounds. He described the range of individuals on campus as a key part of his college experience. The mix of in-state and out-of-state students continues to shape the social environment at Boise State.
