BSU vs. GVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Valley State University is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

BSU vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or GVSU? 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 GVSU ($13,599 vs. $17,198).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 6.4% lower than at Ball State University ($11,550 vs. $12,334).
• Grand Valley State University is 36.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $4,058 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at BSU than at Grand Valley State University (about $8,082 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $21,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grand Valley State University than at Ball State University (90% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($13,218 vs. $11,188).

BSU vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 100 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
• Incoming GVSU 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; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than GVSU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

BSU vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and GVSU? 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).

• Grand Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University and BSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Grand Valley State University and BSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GVSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.