BSU vs. IU South Bend

Should I go to Ball State University or Indiana University South Bend? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BSU or IU South Bend is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Indiana State Purdue North Central IU Purdue IU Northwest IPFW IUPUI Ohio University Kent State GVSU Earlham NKU
Ball State University vs. Indiana University South Bend comparison
Ball State University Indiana University South Bend College 3 College 4
Ball State University Indiana University South Bend
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 BSU IU South Bend
Location Muncie, IN South Bend, IN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 19,777 4,326
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #547 #917
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bsu.edu iusb.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 BSU IU South Bend
Tuition (In State) $8,434 $7,274
Tuition (Out of State) $25,918 $20,634
Room & Board $10,904 $9,190
Avg Net Price $12,615 $8,785
Avg Grant Aid $11,418 $7,821
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 95%

Admission

 BSU IU South Bend
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,859 2,348
Admitted 15,761 2,040
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 86.9%
Enrolled % 22.1% 37.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/28 18/22
SAT Range 1090/1260 970/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 BSU IU South Bend
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 BSU IU South Bend
Graduation Rate 55% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,530
Median Loan Payment $258 $253

Diversity

 BSU IU South Bend
% Men 35% 33%
% Women 65% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 74%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

 BSU IU South Bend
% In-State 90% 95%
% Out-of-State 9% 4%

Campus

 BSU IU South Bend
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ball State University is larger than than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (19,777 students vs. 4,326 students)

BSU vs. IU South Bend Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or IU South Bend?

  • Ball State University is 15.9% more expensive to attend than IU South Bend for in-state tuition ($8,434.00 vs. $7,274.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.6% higher at BSU than Indiana University South Bend ($25,918.00 vs. $20,634.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University South Bend than BSU ($8,785 vs. $12,615)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 18.7% lower than costs at Ball State University ($9,190 vs. $10,904)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ball State University than Indiana University South Bend (97% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 46% larger than aid received Indiana University South Bend ($11,418 vs. $7,821)

BSU vs. IU South Bend Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or IU South Bend? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between IU South Bend or BSU .

  • The average SAT score at Ball State University (1070) is 115 points higher than at IU South Bend (955)
  • Incoming BSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at IU South Bend (21)
  • Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at IU South Bend (3.24)
  • IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than BSU (68.9%)

BSU vs. IU South Bend Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BSU or IU South Bend? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between IU South Bend and BSU.

  • The graduation rate at BSU is higher than Indiana University South Bend (55% vs. 22%)
  • Graduates from Ball State University earn on average $5,400 more per year than IU South Bend graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $37,100)
  • Indiana University South Bend students graduate with a $470 lower median federal student loan debt than BSU graduates. ($24,530 vs. $25,000)
  • IU South Bend graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than BSU graduates. ($253 vs. $258)
  • More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/