Idaho ranks near the bottom, among U.S. states, for sending people to college and those students getting their degrees. Experts say that drags down the entire state’s economy, but that could be changing. Every seat was filled at Taco Bell Arena on Saturday as Boise State University graduated the highest number of students ever. More than 2,400 degrees were handed out, which is a good sign, according to president of the State Board of Education, Ken Edmunds. It’s a pace that needs to continue if Idaho is going to climb from the higher-education cellar. The State Board says Idaho ranks in the bottom 10 for students going on to college and graduating. But this BSU Commencement seemed to be a trend in the right direction.  Graduates themselves had a variety of reasons for getting their degrees.  Experts say keeping more Idahoans employed, and in high-paying jobs, means companies don’t have to go outside the state to hire. That keeps dollars in Idaho, helps the economy and every Idahoan.   Edmunds said  BSU is setting the pace, but all Idaho universities are seeing an uptick in graduation numbers. Saturday night, the College of Western Idaho (just four years old) graduated almost 700 students.

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