BSU vs. Earlham

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Earlham based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 753 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Earlham College is in Richmond, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Earlham College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Earlham College 7:1.

BSU vs. Earlham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Earlham? 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 Earlham ($13,599 vs. $27,107).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 11.8% lower than at Earlham College ($12,334 vs. $13,985).
• Earlham College is 386.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $42,848 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82% higher at Earlham than at Ball State University (about $24,300 more per year; $53,930.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Earlham College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Earlham College students is 207.3% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($40,618 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Earlham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Earlham College (1200) is 30 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Earlham students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Earlham College 1110/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Earlham College 24/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Earlham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Earlham Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Earlham students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Earlham (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 13.9% at Earlham.

BSU vs. Earlham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Earlham? 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).

• Earlham College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Earlham graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Earlham graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Earlham graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Earlham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.