BSU vs. IWU

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than IWU based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1.

BSU vs. IWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or IWU? 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 IWU ($13,599 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 11.9% lower than at Ball State University ($10,868 vs. $12,334).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 191.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $21,270 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at IWU than at Ball State University (about $2,722 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 61.9% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($21,405 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. IWU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 100 points higher than at IWU (1070).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; IWU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at BSU (3.52).
• IWU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 17% at IWU.

BSU vs. IWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and IWU? 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana Wesleyan University Marion graduates have a $896 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($24,104 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, IWU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IWU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

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.