BSU vs. SBTS

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ball State University is larger than SBTS based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 4,298 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is in Louisville, Kentucky (Large City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 16:1.

BSU vs. SBTS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or SBTS? 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 SBTS ($13,599 vs. $21,081).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary are 31.4% lower than at Ball State University ($8,466 vs. $12,334).
• Ball State University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SBTS (about $36 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $11,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.2% higher at BSU than at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (about $18,584 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $11,046.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (77% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 719.5% larger than aid received by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary students ($13,218 vs. $1,613).

BSU vs. SBTS Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or SBTS? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SBTS and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at SBTS (1120).
• Incoming SBTS students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 1080/1260; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 20/24; The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; SBTS - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SBTS Jul 15, 2027.
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than SBTS (55.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 55.9% at SBTS.

BSU vs. SBTS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and SBTS? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate is 55%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for SBTS.
• Graduates from Ball State University have median earnings of about $42,500 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for SBTS.

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.