BSU vs. DePauw

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with DePauw University in Greencastle, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than DePauw based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 1,917 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); DePauw University is in Greencastle, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. DePauw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; DePauw University 10:1.

BSU vs. DePauw Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or DePauw? 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 DePauw ($13,599 vs. $31,411).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 19.5% lower than at DePauw University ($12,334 vs. $15,330).
• DePauw University is 433% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $47,988 more per year; $59,070.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.4% higher at DePauw than at Ball State University (about $29,440 more per year; $59,070.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePauw University than at Ball State University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePauw University students is 224.6% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($42,909 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. DePauw Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePauw University (1310) is 140 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming DePauw students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; DePauw University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; DePauw University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; DePauw - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePauw Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePauw students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than DePauw (57.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 13.2% at DePauw.

BSU vs. DePauw Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and DePauw? 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).

• DePauw University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from DePauw University earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,000 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $588 lower median loan debt than DePauw graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,588).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePauw graduates ($258 vs. $264).
• More DePauw graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.