BSU vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; La Roche University 11:1.

BSU vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or LRC? 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 LRC ($13,599 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 7.9% lower than at La Roche University ($12,334 vs. $13,390).
• La Roche University is 207.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $22,970 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at LRC than at Ball State University (about $4,422 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Roche University than at Ball State University (81% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 74.6% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($23,083 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. LRC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or LRC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between LRC and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 100 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming BSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 1080/1260; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 20/24; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman BSU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at LRC (3.2).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 9.8% at LRC.

BSU vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and LRC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.