BSU vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BSU vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or JCU? 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 JCU ($13,599 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 15.1% lower than at John Carroll University ($12,334 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 355.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $39,418 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.4% higher at JCU than at Ball State University (about $20,870 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 170.7% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($35,785 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. JCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 90 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming JCU 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; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

BSU vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and JCU? 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).

• John Carroll University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $1,939 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($258 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.