Ball State University campus

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BSU Demographics & Diversity

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Muncie, IN
  • 4.6 5 reviews
#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 32%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at BSU are mostly White with a small Black population. The school has low racial diversity. 19% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Ball State University students
Race Percent of Students
White
81%
Black
8%
Hispanic
4%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
3%
International
2%
Race Unknown
1%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 45%

There are 89% more female students than male students enrolled at Ball State University with a gender ratio of 65% women to 35% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, BSU has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Ball State University students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
35%
Women
65%
Enrollment by gender for Ball State University students
Gender Number of Students
Men
7,300
Women
13,789

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 9%

BSU draws 91 percent of students from Indiana, 8 percent from other states, and 1 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Indiana, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Ball State University students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
91%
Out of State
8%
Foreign
1%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$62,817 per year

42% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

21,089
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 7%
Part-time undergraduates 6.8%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Ball State University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=150136.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026