UI graduates earn more money than BSU graduates, and it’s obvious why
Boise State may have a successful football program, but the University of Idaho can boast successful graduates capable of paying off their student loans quicker.
Danielle Wiley
According to the 2013-2014 PayScale College Salary report, UI graduates earn higher salaries than BSU graduates after college, and the difference in earnings continues through the middle of their careers. The report shows UI graduates earn an average salary of $45,300 after graduation. They earn an average salary of $82,700 by the middle of their careers. In contrast, BSU graduates’ average salary after graduation is $43,100 and their average salary in the middle of their careers is $67,000.
This is a big gap, especially for students who are focused on paying off their student loan debt.
The rivalry between Idaho’s two most well-known colleges is no secret, so Vandals should take pride in the fiscal success their choice of school results in.
Football programs aren’t everything. BSU’s football team may outrank Idaho and earn more wins, but in the end, Idaho’s students are better off.
According to BSU’s 2014 fiscal year budget report, the school spends over $100 million on instruction, about $30 million on research programs, about $20 million on academic support and about $37 million on their athletic department.
UI’s 2014 fiscal year budget report shows UI spends around $99 million on instruction, $75 million on research, $16 million on academic support, about $12 million on student services and only about $18 million on their athletic department.
UI spends twice as much on educational research as BSU. This research helps students learn real world skills and helps them become future leaders.
Looking at BSU and UI statistics, which can be found on the schools’ websites, you can see where BSU falls behind. At BSU, the student to faculty ratio is 20-to-1. At UI, the same ratio is 18-to-1. BSU has an 11 percent four-year graduation rate, while UI has a 25 percent four-year graduation rate.
BSU’s freshmen retention rate is at 70 percent while UI’s is at 79 percent. Students looking to attend BSU after high school are only offered five types of degrees, while students who plan on attending UI have a choice of seven different degree programs, including two doctorate programs.
In the 2009-2010 academic year, BSU had a graduation rate of 13.9 percent. In the 2009-2010 academic year, UI boasted a graduation rate of over 50 percent.
What do these numbers say about the Broncos and the Vandals? They say when it comes to their futures, Vandals stand confident. There’s something to be said about spending money on all of your students, not just your athletic students.
At UI, the campus is set apart from the surrounding community, unlike BSU. This gives students a sense of academia and high standards. There’s something about taking a stroll down Hello Walk to the chime of the bell tower that gives students a sense of respect, privilege and responsibility. UI has a way of making students feel like they’re a part of something larger than themselves. Walking around the spread out campus at BSU does not give off the same vibe.
Students looking to go to college after high school should consider the community, standards and graduate success — not how well the school’s football team does. Future employers don’t hire college graduates based on how many ball games their school’s team has won. Instead, they look at what the applicant has learned, what skills they have and how they present themselves.
Let the numbers speak for themselves. Vandals have bright futures ahead of them.
Danielle Wiley can be reached at [email protected]