Boise State vs. UIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Boise State University in Boise, ID with University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Boise State based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 27,198 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boise State University is located in Boise, ID (Midsize City setting); University of Illinois Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Boise State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Boise State University 20:1; University of Illinois Chicago 17:1.

Boise State vs. UIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Boise State or UIC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Illinois Chicago than Boise State ($10,852 vs. $21,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boise State University are 9.8% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,884 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 58.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Boise State (about $5,290 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $9,048.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at UIC than at Boise State University (about $2,096 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $27,788.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Boise State University than at University of Illinois Chicago (76% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 76.2% larger than aid received by Boise State University students ($16,755 vs. $9,507).

Boise State vs. UIC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Boise State or UIC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UIC and Boise State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 120 points higher than at Boise State (1120).
• Incoming UIC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Boise State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 1030/1210; University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boise State University 21/26; University of Illinois Chicago 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Boise State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); UIC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Boise State Aug 1, 2027; UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Boise State (3.37).
• Boise State has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Boise State vs. 21.1% at UIC.

Boise State vs. UIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Boise State and UIC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Boise State University's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than Boise State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $4,179 lower median loan debt than Boise State graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,929).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Boise State graduates ($193 vs. $237).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Boise State students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.