BSU vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Ball State University in Muncie, IN with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BSU vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Iowa? 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 Iowa ($13,599 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 4.5% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,334 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $201 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.6% higher at Iowa than at Ball State University (about $3,741 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at University of Iowa (77% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 34% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($13,218 vs. $9,865).

BSU vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 60 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

BSU vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Iowa? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.