Idaho Students Fill Boise State's Largest Incoming Class

Prospective Idaho applicants can compare $9,789 in-state tuition with regional WUE savings when choosing a college.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in College Applications

Idaho Students Fill Boise State's Largest Incoming Class

Live Poll

Would you choose an in-state college over an out-of-state one to save money?

Boise State University enrolled 28,536 students in fall 2026, with 69% of them Idaho residents. The university also welcomed 2,305 new first-time Idaho students, its largest Idaho incoming class on record.

Why it matters

For Idaho families, a large in-state cohort means more students are choosing a home-state option at $9,789 in tuition instead of paying out-of-state rates. Out-of-state students now make up 31% of the campus, which shapes the cost and competition picture for everyone applying.

In-state tuition at Boise State is $9,789, compared with $29,477 out-of-state before scholarships. Through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), qualifying students from participating Western states can save about $16,339 per year, and WUE consideration begins at an unweighted high school GPA of 3.5.

The players

Boise State University

A large public university in Boise, Idaho, serving tens of thousands of students and offering in-state tuition of $9,789.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

A tuition agreement letting qualifying students from participating Western states attend at a reduced rate.

The details

Boise State publishes its enrollment figures on its Facts and Figures page, showing that Idaho residents make up 69% of the student body. Some Idaho students stay in state because of in-state scholarship options and to avoid out-of-state tuition and fees. Out-of-state students who qualify for WUE pay a reduced rate, which the university says can save roughly $16,339 a year compared with full out-of-state tuition.

2022: Baseline year for the fall enrollment growth comparisons.
Fall 2026: Enrollment reported at 28,536 students, with 69% from Idaho.
2023-27: Period covered by Boise State's Strategic Enrollment and Retention plan.

Education Landscape

Boise State's growth sits alongside the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a regional tuition agreement that lets students from participating Western states attend at reduced rates. The fall 2026 figures show Idaho's in-state enrollment rising faster than total enrollment over the four years since fall 2022.

Prospective students from Idaho and from WUE-eligible states should compare in-state tuition and WUE savings when building a college list. Families can ask the admissions or financial-aid office how WUE eligibility is determined at their GPA level.

The takeaway

Idaho's growing in-state class shows that many local students are finding value at home, while WUE gives students from neighboring states a lower-cost route into Boise State. Applicants who want to confirm WUE eligibility or in-state rates for a specific program should contact the university's admissions or financial-aid office directly.