BSU vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Ball State University or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if BSU or Middle Tennessee State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Austin Peay State University Memphis Belmont Tennessee Tech Purdue North Central Tennessee IU ETSU Purdue UTC Indiana State IU Northwest
Ball State University vs. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Ball State University Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Ball State University Middle Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
Location Muncie, IN Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 20,440 20,183
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #515 #666
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bsu.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $8,688 $7,536
Tuition (Out of State) $26,696 $27,072
Room & Board $12,064 $11,704
Avg Net Price $13,017 $12,700
Avg Grant Aid $13,046 $9,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 75% 93%

Admission

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 28,668 14,763
Admitted 20,525 10,039
Acceptance Rate 71.6% 68%
Enrolled % 18.6% 31.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/30 19/26
SAT Range 1080/1250 1000/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 55% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $258 $224

Diversity

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 6% 5%
% Women 21% 8%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 64%
% Black 8% 22%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 90% 89%
% Out-of-State 9% 9%

Campus

BSU Middle Tennessee State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Ball State University is larger than than Middle Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (20,440 students vs. 20,183 students)

BSU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Ball State University is 15.3% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($8,688.00 vs. $7,536.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Ball State University ($27,072.00 vs. $26,696.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than BSU ($12,700 vs. $13,017)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 3.1% lower than costs at Ball State University ($11,704 vs. $12,064)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than Ball State University (93% vs. 75%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 31.2% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($13,046 vs. $9,942)

BSU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or Middle Tennessee State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Middle Tennessee State University or BSU .

  • The average SAT score at Ball State University (1070) is 39 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming BSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at BSU (3.52)
  • BSU has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than Middle Tennessee State University (68%)

BSU vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, BSU or Middle Tennessee State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Middle Tennessee State University and BSU.

  • The graduation rate at BSU is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (55% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Ball State University earn on average $200 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($42,500 vs. $42,300)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $3,242 lower median federal student loan debt than BSU graduates. ($21,758 vs. $25,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than BSU graduates. ($224 vs. $258)
  • More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/