Boise State University vs University of Nevada-Reno

Boise State University and University of Nevada-Reno are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Boise State University is more selective with a 84.0% acceptance rate compared to University of Nevada-Reno's 85.3%.

Cost: University of Nevada-Reno offers a lower average net price at $15,402, which is $3,780 less than Boise State University ($19,182). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Nevada-Reno earn a median salary of $60,614 ten years after enrollment, which is $8,956 more than Boise State University graduates ($51,658).

Graduation: University of Nevada-Reno leads with a 62.1% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 77.9% vs 80.3%.

Campus Size: Boise State University is the larger campus with 17,081 total students, while University of Nevada-Reno has 15,723.

Bottom Line: University of Nevada-Reno stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.