BSU vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Hope College 9:1.

BSU vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Hope 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 Hope College ($13,599 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 4.8% lower than at Hope College ($12,334 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 278.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $30,888 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at Hope College than at Ball State University (about $12,340 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at Ball State University (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 88.7% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($24,945 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 50 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Hope College 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; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

BSU vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Hope College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 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 Hope College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.