BSU vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

BSU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or SAU? 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 SAU ($13,599 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 7.2% lower than at Ball State University ($11,440 vs. $12,334).
• Spring Arbor University is 206.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $22,932 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at SAU than at Ball State University (about $4,384 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 80.6% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($23,877 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• 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; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 16.5% at SAU.

BSU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and SAU? 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $100 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $957 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.