Ball State University
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. It has a campus size of 1,140 acres. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 68%. The freshman retention rate at Ball State University is 73% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most essential things about Ball State University.
Quick Facts
14,409
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
68%
Acceptance Rate
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Learn some relevant information about admission policy and requirements at Ball State University.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 15,761 in 2023. Ball State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 30% and ACT scores 5.8%. 4% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 39% between 1,200 and 1,399, 52% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 5% between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 17, 56 between 24-29, 26 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2023 was 26 and the average GPA was 3.57. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average 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. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Ball State University was 73%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment 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 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the school enrolled 19,770 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 9.2. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 14,409, 83 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 523.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,273 male and 8,523 female full-time students in 2023, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. There were 363 full-time graduate male and 812 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 261, and the number of Afro-American students was 1,299. 975 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 566 identified with more than one race. The school also had 9 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 18 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 193 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $8,688. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $26,696 in 2023. If you are an international student at Ball State University, you should know that the 2023 tuition came to $26,696, as well. Full-time students in 2023 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,006.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,696 | $2,006 | $28,702 |
| In-State | $8,688 | $2,006 | $10,694 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,364.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
At Ball State University, the 2023 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $14,632. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 added up to $11,544 for one academic year.
| Tuition | $ 8,688 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,632 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,364 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,684 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Ball State University.
According to the most recent data, 2,341 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $16,341.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 5,456 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 8,030. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $26,141,188, and state $8,170,593.
$8,007
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for 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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 4,726 students overall (including freshmen) at Ball State University in 2023. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 1,545 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $26,141,188 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $1,274,057. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $31,864,245. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $5,734,849 USD.
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is 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 15:1: that means 15 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 1,225 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 555 men and 670 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Ball State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about students' life at Ball State University.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to the most recent information, there are 303 open-membership organizations at Ball State University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 13 and female students 9. The student organization with the highest level of popularity 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. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Ball State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Ball State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
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
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Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Ball State University is 68%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Ball State University is 73%.
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.
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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.