Best Colleges in Boise

Questions About Going to College in Boise

How are the career opportunities for college graduates in this city?

As the capital of Idaho, Boise has always been a hot spot for landing government jobs. Tourism, mining, farming, and business likewise remain important to Boise’s economy. But tech sector growth in recent years really has catapulted the city into the national spotlight as a place with a vibrant employment scene. In fact, while only 22 percent of U.S. employers expected to add to their workforce in the second quarter of 2015, 32 percent of companies in the Boise area planned to hire new staff.

What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in Boise?

STEM graduates, rejoice. Companies such as Micron Technology Inc. and Hewlett-Packard seek engineers, data scientists, IT professionals, and the like. Health science grads may find their niche at St. Luke’s Health Systems or St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Your business, agriculture, or food science degree can make you attractive to agribusiness giant J.R. Simplot. And educators can’t go wrong in a city with a large public school system including Boise State University, College of Western Idaho, and satellite campuses of University of Idaho and Idaho State University.

Is Boise more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family?

When students and locals alike turn out in droves to watch the Boise State Broncos play in the only blue Astro Turf stadium in the world, Boise sure feels like a college town. But with lower costs and less crime than other metro areas in the Pacific Northwest, Boise attracts all types of people. Young professionals enjoy the opportunities presented by its growing economy, while high-quality schools entice families. And the number of retirees who choose to make Boise their home have helped the city gain a national reputation for volunteerism.

What do the locals in Boise like to do for fun?

Mountain biking and kayaking rank high in this outdoor-oriented area. But those looking for cultural experiences won’t be disappointed either. The Boise Art Museum features a large permanent collection as well as special exhibits. (The fanciful carbon pencil animal drawings of Adonna Khare delighted visitors in early 2016.) Jazz lovers can’t wait for the annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival, which brings world-class musicians to town and helps raise money for jazz education. And The Basque Block in downtown Boise serves not only as a gathering place for the 16,000 members of Boise’s Basque community (one of the largest in the U.S.) but for anyone desiring an interesting evening of culture, food and drink.

What's the dating scene like in Boise? Will I meet my perfect mate?

The numbers certainly present hope. With more than 214,000 residents, Boise ranks as Idaho’s largest city. Include the metro area, and that figure rises to over 666,000. Try the downtown bars (if nothing else, you’ll get to enjoy some awesome Idaho wines) or strike up a conversation with a cute fellow tailgater before a Broncos game. In the summer, check out regional and local musical artists at the free Alive After Five Concert Series in the Grove Plaza – a great detour for young professionals heading home from work. Local vendors there such as Pita Pit and Main Street Deli make it easy to treat a fellow attendee to a tasty sandwich and a cold beverage before asking for his or her number.