BSU vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

BSU vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or ECU? 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 ECU ($13,599 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 6.4% lower than at Ball State University ($11,541 vs. $12,334).
• Ball State University is 50.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,721 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at BSU than at East Carolina University (about $5,992 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at East Carolina University (77% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 35.2% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($13,218 vs. $9,776).

BSU vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or ECU? 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 ECU and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 10 points higher than at ECU (1160).
• Incoming ECU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 17.1% at ECU.

BSU vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and ECU? 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $212 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($24,788 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($256 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.