BSU vs. UT Martin

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than UT Martin based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 7,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BSU vs. UT Martin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or UT Martin? 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 The University of Tennessee Martin than BSU ($11,955 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Martin are 38.8% lower than at Ball State University ($7,544 vs. $12,334).
• Ball State University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Martin (about $522 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $10,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.5% higher at BSU than at The University of Tennessee Martin (about $13,030 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $16,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Martin than at Ball State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 21.7% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Martin students ($13,218 vs. $10,861).

BSU vs. UT Martin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 80 points higher than at UT Martin (1090).
• Incoming BSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UT Martin (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; The University of Tennessee Martin 970/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; The University of Tennessee Martin 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; UT Martin - Required.
• Accepted freshman UT Martin students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at BSU (3.52).
• UT Martin has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 22.8% at UT Martin.

BSU vs. UT Martin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and UT Martin? 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 The University of Tennessee Martin's (48%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than UT Martin graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Martin graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UT Martin graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Martin students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

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.