BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY

Boise State University is a public university located in Boise, Idaho. Originally founded in 1932 by the Episcopal Church, the university became an independent institution in 1934, and has been awarding baccalaureate and master degrees since 1965. As of 2009, the university has over 70, 000 living alumni.

Ranked among the top 100 Regional Universities in the Western United States by the U.S. News & World Report, Boise State offers 201 degrees in 190 fields of study. With nearly 20, 000 students, Boise State is both the largest and fastest-growing institution of higher education in the state of Idaho.

Boise State was founded in 1932 as Boise Junior College by the Episcopal Church. After two years the school became independent, and, in 1940, moved from St. Margaret's Hall to its present site along the south bank of the Boise River between Capitol Boulevard and Broadway Avenue.

In 1965, the school gained four-year status as Boise College and began awarding baccalaureate degrees. Four years later, the school joined the Idaho state system of higher education and was renamed Boise State College. In 1974, Boise State gained university status to become Idaho's third university.

The campus is nestled along the south bank of the Boise River, directly across from Julia Davis Park and Downtown Boise. The primary campus covers 175 acres (708, 000 m²), and includes more than 170 buildings. As Boise State evolves into a Metropolitan Research Institution of Distinction, students and alumni are becoming increasingly involved in the University community.