BSU vs. IUPUI

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Indianapolis is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (22,534 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Indiana University Indianapolis is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Indiana University Indianapolis 13:1.

BSU vs. IUPUI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or IUPUI? 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 Indiana University Indianapolis than BSU ($12,228 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 7.3% lower than at Indiana University Indianapolis ($12,334 vs. $13,308).
• Ball State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IUPUI (about $320 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $10,762.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.8% higher at IUPUI than at Ball State University (about $5,261 more per year; $34,891.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Indianapolis than at Ball State University (82% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 19% larger than aid received by Indiana University Indianapolis students ($13,218 vs. $11,104).

BSU vs. IUPUI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at IUPUI (1140).
• Incoming IUPUI students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Indiana University Indianapolis 1030/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Indiana University Indianapolis 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; IUPUI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IUPUI May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have the same average high school GPA (3.52) as students at IUPUI (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than IUPUI (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 24.6% at IUPUI.

BSU vs. IUPUI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and IUPUI? 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).

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Indiana University Indianapolis's (33%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Indianapolis earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Indianapolis graduates have a $1,910 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($23,090 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IUPUI graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($238 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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.