BSU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

BSU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($13,599 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 10.6% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($12,334 vs. $13,794).
• Kent State University at Kent is 19.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $2,150 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.4% higher at BSU than at Kent State University at Kent (about $6,548 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Ball State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 31.2% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($13,218 vs. $10,076).

BSU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming BSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at BSU (3.52).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

BSU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $825 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($258 vs. $267).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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.