BSU vs. Oakland

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Oakland based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 15,768 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Oakland University is in Rochester Hills, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oakland University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Oakland University 17:1.

BSU vs. Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Oakland? 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 Oakland University than BSU ($12,208 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 11.4% lower than at Ball State University ($10,932 vs. $12,334).
• Oakland University is 37.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $4,180 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.8% higher at BSU than at Oakland University (about $6,442 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $23,188.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University than at Ball State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Oakland University students ($13,218 vs. $12,988).

BSU vs. Oakland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Oakland (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Oakland University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Oakland - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Oakland (3.51).
• Oakland has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 14.7% at Oakland.

BSU vs. Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Oakland? 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 Oakland University's (40%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakland University and BSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Oakland University and BSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakland students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.