BSU vs. Berea College

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Berea College is in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Berea College 9:1.

BSU vs. Berea College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Berea College? 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 Berea College than BSU ($5,888 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 33.5% lower than at Ball State University ($8,208 vs. $12,334).
• Berea College is 366.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $40,576 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.3% higher at Berea College than at Ball State University (about $22,028 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 314.8% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($54,830 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Berea College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or Berea College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Berea College and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 80 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Berea College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Berea College 1156/1335.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Berea College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Berea College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 53.8% at Berea College.

BSU vs. Berea College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Berea College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $19,200 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($5,800 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $199 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($59 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Berea College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.