Overview of Academy of Ball State University

Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. Ball State offers degree options in business, education, communications, and nursing are popular with undergraduates. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the Ball State Cardinals play in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 21,884 (16,160 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
• 91 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $10,080 (in-state); $26,984 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,384
• Room and Board: $10,534
• Other Expenses: $2,688
• Total Cost: $24,686 (in-state); $41,590 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 90 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 90 percent
  • Loans: 66 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $10,960
  • Loans: $7,193

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Information not available

Retention and Graduation

•  First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 78 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 25%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 47 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 63 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Volleyball
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Ball State University Admissions

Ball State University accepts two-thirds of applicants and boasts a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA score within the school’s mean ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. Keep in mind that the institution has test-optional admissions, so your grades are going to be much more important than your test scores. However, the university’s admissions process considers more than just GPAs. The admissions office will be assessing the difficulty level of your high school classes, not only your grades. The admissions office also likes to see involvement in meaningful extracurricular activities and an upward trend in grades.

Admissions Data

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Ball State University had an acceptance rate of 62%.  for every 100 students who provided applications, 62 students gained admission, making Ball State’s admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Ball State University has a test-optional testing policy. Applicants to Ball State can send ACT or SAT scores. However, they aren’t necessary for most applicants. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 65% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data reveals that of those students who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Ball State’s admitted students score within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the reading and writing part, 50% of students admitted to Ball State scored between 540 and 620, while 25% scored below 540, and 25% scored over 620. On the math part, 50% of admitted students scored between 530 and 610, while 25% scored below 530, and 25% scored over 610. The SAT is not required; this data reveals that an overall SAT score of 1230 or higher is competitive.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Ball State University has a test-optional testing policy. Applicants to Ball State can send ACT or SAT scores. However, they aren’t necessary for most applicants. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 32% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data reveals that of those who provided scores during the 2018-19 admissions phase, most of Ball State’s admitted students score within the top 49% nationally on the ACT.  50% of students admitted to Ball State received an overall ACT score between 20 and 24, while 25% scored over 24 and 25% scored below 20.

GPA

In 2019, the GPA of Ball State University’s freshmen class was 3.5. This data suggests that successful applicants to Ball State have primarily high B grades.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Ball State University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Ball State University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

East Carolina University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Northridge

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Ball State University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Ohio University, University of Alabama, University of Texas at Arlington, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Ball State University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Drexel University, University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Temple University, Seton Hall University  

Applying to Ball State University

Application Deadline: August 10

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.bsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www.bsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/apply-now

Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.bsu.edu/admissions/graduate

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.bsu.edu/admissions/graduate/application-process