BSU vs. IU

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

BSU vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or IU? 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 IU ($13,599 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 11.8% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($12,334 vs. $13,984).
• Indiana University Bloomington is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $1,062 more per year; $12,144.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.4% higher at IU than at Ball State University (about $12,261 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at Indiana University Bloomington (77% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 26% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($13,218 vs. $10,487).

BSU vs. IU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 120 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming IU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; IU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than IU (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 18.2% at IU.

BSU vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and IU? 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).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $13,700 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.