BSU vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than Tennessee Tech based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 10,511 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

BSU vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Tech ($13,599 vs. $15,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 7.3% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($12,334 vs. $13,302).
• Tennessee Technological University is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $294 more per year; $11,376.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.2% higher at BSU than at Tennessee Technological University (about $14,054 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Ball State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($13,218 vs. $10,458).

BSU vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 10 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

BSU vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $900 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($16,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($165 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee Tech students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.