Campus Vibe
Known for business — excellent value
Ball State University is a public institution in Muncie with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1172, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A large campus of 13.8K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
63% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,833 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,898.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Ball State University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1172
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
27.2%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$16,904
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
106
Peer Average
92
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (237)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
77%
- •77% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •It operated until the spring of 1901, when it was closed due to lack of funding.
- •In 1902, the school reopened as Palmer University for the next three years when Francis Palmer, a retired Indiana banker, gave the school $100,000 as an endowment.
- •Between 1905 and 1907, the school dropped the Palmer name and operated as the Indiana Normal College.
- •Due to diminishing enrollment and lack of funding, the school closed at the end of the 1906–1907 school year.
- •In 1912, a group of local investors led by Michael Kelly reopened the school as the Indiana Normal Institute.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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