BSU vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

BSU vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Penn State Shenango? 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 Penn State Shenango ($13,599 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 19.2% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($12,334 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Shenango is 26.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $2,942 more per year; $14,024.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.8% higher at BSU than at Penn State Shenango (about $6,070 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $23,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Shenango than at Ball State University (97% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 47.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($13,218 vs. $8,962).

BSU vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Shenango (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• 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; Penn State Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

BSU vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Penn State Shenango? 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 Penn State Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Shenango graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($258 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Shenango graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.