Augustana vs. BSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with Ball State University in Muncie, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Augustana based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Augustana College is located in Rock Island, IL (Small City setting); Ball State University is in Muncie, IN (Small City setting).
• Augustana College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Augustana College 12:1; Ball State University 14:1.

Augustana vs. BSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Augustana or BSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ball State University than Augustana ($13,599 vs. $24,714).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 1.3% lower than at Augustana College ($12,334 vs. $12,502).
• Augustana College is 365.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $40,516 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.1% higher at Augustana than at Ball State University (about $21,968 more per year; $51,598.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augustana College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Augustana College students is 196.9% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($39,242 vs. $13,218).

Augustana vs. BSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Augustana or BSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between BSU and Augustana.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 20 points higher than at Augustana (1150).
• Incoming Augustana students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 1030/1270; Ball State University 1080/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Augustana College 21/29; Ball State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Augustana - Test optional; BSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Augustana Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Augustana (3.3).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Augustana (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Augustana vs. 20.4% at BSU.

Augustana vs. BSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Augustana and BSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Augustana College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Augustana College earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Augustana graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Augustana graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Augustana graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.