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Ball State University

BSU

Muncie, Indiana 47306

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

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.

Established
1918
Motto
"We Fly"
Mascot
Charlie Cardinal
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

72%Acceptance
1172SAT Avg
13,770Students
15:1Student:Faculty
63%Grad Rate
$51,833Earnings 10yr
$15,898Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate71.6%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1172

Reading & WritingMid: 560
550630
MathMid: 550
530620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 24
2530

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,758
Tuition (out-of-state)$28,766
Room & Board$12,064
Books & Supplies$1,360
Total Cost of Attendance$25,134
Average Net Price$15,898
Median Debt at Graduation$23,250
Monthly Payment (10yr)$246

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$7,233
$30–48K$9,717
$48–75K$14,882
$75–110K$19,748
$110K+$21,756

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

27.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.3%/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)

27

Burglary

5

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

9

Motor Vehicle Theft

11

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

28

Drug Arrests

21

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%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
13,770
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
28%
Pell Grant Recipients
34%

Race & Ethnicity

White 73%
Black 10%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 2%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate63.3%
Freshman Retention77.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$44,394
10 Years$51,833

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#213
vs 2024
Forbes
#487
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#133
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

VolleyballBasketball beganBasketball tournamentBasketball coach

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

97Average

Estimated from IN state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Indianapolispop. 880K
50 mi(87 min)
Columbuspop. 900K
129 mi(224 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
164 mi(284 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IND Indianapolis58 mi
CVG Cincinnati89 mi
CMH Columbus134 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA759 mi · ~21h 56m drive
New York, NY600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Hartford, CT672 mi · ~19h 25m drive
Providence, RI737 mi · ~21h 17m drive
Albany, NY626 mi · ~18h 5m drive
Syracuse, NY517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Rochester, NY451 mi · ~13h 2m drive
Buffalo, NY385 mi · ~11h 7m drive
Philadelphia, PA542 mi · ~15h 39m drive
Pittsburgh, PA286 mi · ~8h 16m drive
Harrisburg, PA449 mi · ~12h 58m drive
Newark, NJ591 mi · ~17h 4m drive
Washington, DC455 mi · ~13h 9m drive
Baltimore, MD471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
Atlanta, GA450 mi · ~13h drive
Charlotte, NC425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Raleigh, NC479 mi · ~13h 50m drive
Miami, FL1042 mi · ~30h 6m drive
Orlando, FL838 mi · ~24h 13m drive
Tampa, FL863 mi · ~24h 56m drive
Nashville, TN289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
New Orleans, LA756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Richmond, VA466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
Chicago, IL164 mi · ~4h 44m drive
Detroit, MI192 mi · ~5h 33m drive
Minneapolis, MN518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
St. Louis, MO278 mi · ~8h 2m drive
Kansas City, MO493 mi · ~14h 15m drive
Indianapolis, IN50 mi · ~1h 27m drive
Columbus, OH129 mi · ~3h 44m drive
Cleveland, OH214 mi · ~6h 11m drive
Milwaukee, WI235 mi · ~6h 47m drive
Dallas, TX813 mi · ~23h 29m drive
Houston, TX914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Austin, TX976 mi · ~28h 12m drive
San Antonio, TX1049 mi · ~30h 18m drive
Los Angeles, CA1847 mi · ~53h 21m drive
San Francisco, CA1980 mi · ~57h 12m drive
San Diego, CA1828 mi · ~52h 49m drive
Seattle, WA1888 mi · ~54h 33m drive
Portland, OR1905 mi · ~55h 2m drive
Denver, CO1035 mi · ~29h 54m drive
Phoenix, AZ1540 mi · ~44h 29m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1387 mi · ~40h 4m drive
Honolulu, HI4375 mi · ~126h 23m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Ball State University Application Checklist

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