BSU vs. UNLV

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nevada Las Vegas is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (32,911 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 Nevada Las Vegas is in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1.

BSU vs. UNLV Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or UNLV? 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas than BSU ($11,553 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 2.3% lower than at University of Nevada Las Vegas ($12,334 vs. $12,628).
• Ball State University is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNLV (about $1,334 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at BSU than at University of Nevada Las Vegas (about $2,219 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $27,411.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at Ball State University (90% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 71.3% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($13,218 vs. $7,717).

BSU vs. UNLV Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at UNLV (1130).
• Incoming BSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UNLV).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; UNLV - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 36.2% at UNLV.

BSU vs. UNLV Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and UNLV? 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 Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Las Vegas graduates have a $5,982 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($19,018 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNLV graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($196 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.