BSU vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Cornell College 14:1.

BSU vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Cornell College? 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 Cornell College ($13,599 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 3.9% lower than at Ball State University ($11,850 vs. $12,334).
• Cornell College is 375.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $41,578 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Cornell College than at Ball State University (about $23,030 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 210.9% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($41,092 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 30 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

BSU vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Cornell College? 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).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 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 Cornell College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.