BSU vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (23,065 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 Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

BSU vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Louisville? 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 Louisville ($13,599 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 1.9% lower than at University of Louisville ($12,334 vs. $12,576).
• University of Louisville is 18.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $2,054 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at BSU than at University of Louisville (about $148 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Ball State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 11% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($14,677 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 10 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Louisville 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; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

BSU vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Louisville? 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $5,344 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($19,656 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($203 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.