BSU vs. KY State

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Kentucky State University is in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Kentucky State University 10:1.

BSU vs. KY State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or KY 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 Kentucky State University than BSU ($9,397 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 29.6% lower than at Ball State University ($8,686 vs. $12,334).
• Ball State University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $1,695 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.9% higher at BSU than at Kentucky State University (about $15,972 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky State University than at Ball State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 27.8% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($13,218 vs. $10,340).

BSU vs. KY State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 250 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming BSU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Kentucky State University 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Kentucky State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; KY State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 27% at KY State.

BSU vs. KY State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and KY 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 Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($258 vs. $299).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 24%)

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.