BSU vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than WMU based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 16,744 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

BSU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or WMU? 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 WMU ($13,599 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 1.3% lower than at Ball State University ($12,174 vs. $12,334).
• Western Michigan University is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $4,170 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.7% higher at BSU than at Western Michigan University (about $10,596 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Ball State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 19.6% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($13,218 vs. $11,048).

BSU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 60 points higher than at WMU (1110).
• Incoming WMU 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; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WMU (3.5).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

BSU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and WMU? 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $1,633 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($258 vs. $275).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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.