BSU vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Carthage College 14:1.

BSU vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($13,599 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 8.3% lower than at Carthage College ($12,334 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 249.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $27,668 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at Carthage than at Ball State University (about $9,120 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 79.9% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($23,784 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or Carthage? 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 Carthage and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 70 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming BSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Carthage (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

BSU vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Carthage? 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).

• Carthage College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Carthage College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,800 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 Carthage graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.