BSU vs. Butler

Ball State University and Butler University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Ball State University
Butler University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Butler (85.1% admitted vs 85.5%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: BSU. Average net price is $13,599 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: BSU 55% vs Butler 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BSU $42,500 vs Butler $68,400 (median).
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Key differences

Ball State University Butler University
Acceptance rate
Butler more selective
BSU85.5%
Butler85.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Butler higher
BSU1080-1260
Butler1160-1350
Average net price
BSU $24,839 less
BSU$13,599
Butler$38,438
In-state tuition
BSU $36,478 less
BSU$11,082
Butler$47,560
Out-of-state tuition
BSU $17,930 less
BSU$29,630
Butler$47,560
Graduation rate
Butler +17 pts
BSU55%
Butler72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$25,900
BSU$42,500
Butler$68,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BSU 21,093
  • Butler 9,471
  • Admitted
  • BSU 18,034
  • Butler 8,058
  • Acceptance rate
  • BSU 85.5%
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BSU 20.4%
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BSU 1170
  • Butler 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • BSU 22
  • Butler 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • BSU 3.52
  • Butler 3.92
  • Typical high school grades
  • BSU A-
  • Butler A
  • Admissions standards
  • BSU Moderate
  • Butler Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • BSU
  • Butler
  • SAT range
  • BSU 1080-1260
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • ACT range
  • BSU 20-24
  • Butler 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • BSU Test optional
  • Butler Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BSU
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BSU $11,082
  • Butler $47,560
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BSU $29,630
  • Butler $47,560
  • Room & board
  • BSU $12,334
  • Butler $16,430
  • Average net price
  • BSU $13,599
  • Butler $38,438
  • Average grant aid
  • BSU $13,218
  • Butler $27,790
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BSU 77%
  • Butler 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • BSU 55%
  • Butler 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BSU $42,500
  • Butler $68,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • BSU 63%
  • Butler 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BSU $25,000
  • Butler $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BSU $258
  • Butler $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BSU 14:1
  • Butler 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • BSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • BSU Muncie, IN
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Setting
  • BSU Small City
  • Butler Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • BSU 21,089
  • Butler 5,746
  • Type
  • BSU Public 4 Year
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BSU #630
  • Butler #209

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Butler University in Indianapolis, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Ball State University is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Butler University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
  • Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Butler University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 24.9% lower than at Butler University ($12,334 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at Butler than at Ball State University (about $17,930 more per year; $47,560 vs. $29,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Ball State University (97% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 110.2% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($27,790 vs. $13,218).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Butler than at BSU (28 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BSU and Butler.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at BSU (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 12.9% at Butler.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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