BSU vs. Bellarmine University

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Bellarmine University based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,886 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Bellarmine University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Bellarmine University 12:1.

BSU vs. Bellarmine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Bellarmine University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ball State University than Bellarmine University ($13,599 vs. $23,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 12% lower than at Ball State University ($10,850 vs. $12,334).
• Bellarmine University is 340.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $37,688 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.6% higher at Bellarmine University than at Ball State University (about $19,140 more per year; $48,770.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bellarmine University than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bellarmine University students is 195.1% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($39,001 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Bellarmine University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or Bellarmine University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bellarmine University and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Bellarmine University (1140).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 1080/1260; Bellarmine University 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 20/24; Bellarmine University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Bellarmine University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman BSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• Bellarmine University has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 13.1% at Bellarmine University.

BSU vs. Bellarmine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Bellarmine University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Bellarmine University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,300 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bellarmine University and BSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bellarmine University and BSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.