Boise State in-state enrollment hits 69 percent

Boise State University in Boise reported that 69 percent of its student body consists of Idaho residents as of fall 2026. The institution enrolled a total of 28,536 students during that term. This figure represents a 9.1 percent increase in overall enrollment compared to fall 2022.

The university’s Facts and Figures page confirms that 31 percent of the current population are from out of state. The most common states of origin for these students are California, Washington, and Oregon. Despite the growth in local attendance, the out-of-state demographic still comprises nearly one-third of the total student body.

Financial factors drive many decisions about where to enroll. Tuition for in-state students is set at $9,789. Nonresident tuition stands at $29,477, excluding scholarships. Ethan Allen, a senior from Idaho Falls majoring in political science, cited these costs as a primary reason for staying in the state.

Allen stated that he chose to remain in Idaho to avoid incurring debt through higher out-of-state fees. He noted that his scholarship options were more favorable locally. "Initially I chose to stay in state because I had better scholarship options in state and didn’t want to incur any student debt through out of state tuition and fees," Allen said.

Raima Ragesh, a sophomore from Idaho studying political science, also considered attending school outside the state. She applied to multiple universities before selecting Boise State. Ragesh explained that meeting students from various regions during campus tours altered her perception of the school.

"I mean, everyone I met on tour was from out of state which made me feel a bit more like I wouldn’t be only going to college with kids I went to high school with," Ragesh said. She found the environment distinct from her local high school experience.

The Western Undergraduate Exchange, or WUE, offers reduced rates to students from 14 participating Western states and several Pacific territories. At Boise State, this agreement saves eligible students approximately $16,339 annually. Cass Metz, a sophomore from Fort Collins, Colorado, attributed her enrollment decision partly to this financial benefit.

Metz, a double major in human resources and business administration, described the tuition as courageous given rising educational costs. "I also came here because of the opportunities that I was provided with the WUE Scholarship, I think that’s the tuition," Metz said. "I think that tuition is absolutely courageous. It is getting more and more expensive every year, while the quality of our education is not improving."