BSU vs. Notre Dame

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Notre Dame based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 13,042 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); University of Notre Dame is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; University of Notre Dame 8:1.

BSU vs. Notre Dame Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame ($13,599 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 31.1% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($12,334 vs. $17,900).
• University of Notre Dame is 486.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $53,943 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.5% higher at Notre Dame than at Ball State University (about $35,395 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at University of Notre Dame (77% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 308.3% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($53,971 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Notre Dame Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 340 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; University of Notre Dame 1455/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; University of Notre Dame 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Notre Dame - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 61.7% at Notre Dame .

BSU vs. Notre Dame Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Notre Dame ? 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 Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $47,300 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.