BSU vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BSU vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or WSU? 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 WSU ($13,599 vs. $14,416).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 13.5% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,334 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 37.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $4,108 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at WSU than at Ball State University (about $2,407 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Ball State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 2% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($13,218 vs. $12,953).

BSU vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is the same as at WSU (1170).
• Incoming WSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WSU (3.42).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 22.4% at WSU.

BSU vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and WSU? 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).

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($22,258 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 38%)

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.