Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Muncie , IN
Ball State University is a public research university located in Muncie, Indiana. Established in 1918, it has since become one of the largest universities in the state, serving over 22,000 students. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields of study, including arts and sciences, business, education, health, architecture, and communication.
At Ball State University, students benefit from a vibrant and engaging campus life. The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern academic buildings, research centers, libraries, and a student recreation center. The campus is also home to numerous student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports teams, providing students with ample opportunities for involvement and personal growth.
The university takes pride in its academic excellence and commitment to hands-on learning experiences. Ball State emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to engage in internships, co-ops, research projects, and community service. It also has a strong focus on sustainability and is recognized as a leader in environmental stewardship. With a dedicated faculty and a supportive campus community, Ball State University is a hub for intellectual growth, career development, and personal achievement.
Ball State University is a public university located in Muncie, IN and set in a suburban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 85%. The freshman retention rate at Ball State University is 77.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 62%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Ball State University.
Quick Facts
15,189
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
62%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most vital information you have to know about admission policy and requirements at Ball State University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 18,034 in 2025. Ball State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 37% and ACT scores 1%. 2.99% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 35.86% between 1,200 and 1,399, 55.03% between 1,000 and 1,199, 6.05% between 800 and 999, and 0.07% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 24, 59 between 24-29, 16 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 26 while the average GPA was 3.56. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Ball State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 596 and an average SAT Math score of 582.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Ball State University was 77.7%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 62%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 21,089 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 9.7% for that year. There was a total of 15,189 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 161 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 589.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,474 male and 8,839 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 363 full-time graduate male and 812 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 254 Asian students and 1,502 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,115 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 661 as multirace. The school also had 10 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 23 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 216 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some important information on Ball State University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Ball State University? Here is what you need to know.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $8,948 for area residents. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $27,496 in 2025. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $27,496, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,294.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $27,496 | $2,294 | $29,790 |
| In-State | $8,948 | $2,294 | $11,242 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. Most students have to give about $782 for books and supplies during their time at Ball State University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Ball State University was $12,878 in 2025. If you only wanted a dorm room, you had to pay $6,146 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 8,948 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,878 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 782 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,608 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial aid can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Ball State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,504 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $18,354.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
6,023 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 8,182. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $36,856,519, and state $15,401,143.
$8,333
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
4,979 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,668 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $36,856,519 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $1,588,770. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $34,743,088. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $6,751,071 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Ball State University was 14:1: that means 14 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,253. This number included 577 male and 676 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Ball State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Ball State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about social life at Ball State University.
Its campus is 1,140 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 303 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 13 percent of male and 9 of female students are participants in different organizations at Ball State University. The student organization that is most favored by students is The Navigators, followed by Dance Marathon and Student Voluntary Services. Other popular student organizations at this school are Black Student Association and Student Government Association.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Ball State University band or chorus. If acting is an interest of yours, there is a drama club you can join. You have a passion for media and communication? Ball State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Ball State University offers a number of services important for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Ball State University.
All in all, campus life at Ball State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Ball State University.
Career Counselling
At Ball State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 40,000 USD.
$40,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Ball State University is 85%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Ball State University is 77.7%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.