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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.
Located in Muncie, IN and set in a suburban environment, Ball State University is a public university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 71%. The freshman retention rate at Ball State University is 77% and the six-year graduation rate is 63%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Ball State University.
Quick Facts
14,874
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
71%
Acceptance Rate
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
63%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Check out some essential data about admission at Ball State University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 20,525 in 2024. Ball State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate.
Test Scores
32% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 3% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 3.4% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 37.68% between 1,200 and 1,399, 53.24% between 1,000 and 1,199, 5.59% between 800 and 999, and 0.08% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 25.58, 60.47 between 24-29, 13.18 in the range between 18-23, and 0.78 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2024 was 26 while the average GPA was 3.55. 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. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Ball State University was 77% in 2024, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 63%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect choice for you. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 20,440 students.
That year, the institution had 9.7% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 14,874, 70 of which were international students. 542 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 5,497 male and 8,657 female full-time students in 2024. 363 full-time graduate men and 812 full-time graduate women attended 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. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 313 Asian students and 1,393 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,043 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 642 as multirace. The school also had 6 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 19 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 228 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Ball State University? Here is what you need to know.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $8,948, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $27,496 in 2024. If you are an international student at Ball State University, you should know that the 2024 tuition was $27,496, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,088.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $27,496 | $2,088 | $29,584 |
| In-State | $8,948 | $2,088 | $11,036 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,400.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At Ball State University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,334.
| Tuition | $ 8,948 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,334 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,400 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,682 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial help available to students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Ball State University.
The most recent records show that 2,671 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $16,337 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 5,679 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 8,272. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $30,138,188, and state $11,446,686.
$8,045
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. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
4,878 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,751 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $30,138,188 while the state aid is $1,292,091. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $32,678,960. 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 $6,694,564 USD.
Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2024, this ratio at Ball State University was 15:1. That means that there were 15 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 1,207 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 566 men and 641 women. 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
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about students' life at Ball State University.
Its campus is 1,140 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 303 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 13% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 9 for female students. The student organization that has the biggest membership 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.
Students interested in music can join the Ball State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for 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.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/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 everything most students need.
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
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
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Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Ball State University is 71%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Ball State University is 77%.
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.