BSU vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

BSU vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky ($13,599 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 23% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,334 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $2,420 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at Kentucky than at Ball State University (about $4,510 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at Ball State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($13,218 vs. $12,898).

BSU vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 10 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 1080/1260; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 20/24; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Kentucky students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at BSU (3.52).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

BSU vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Kentucky? 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.

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($22,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($235 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.