BSU vs. Valpo

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Valpo based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 2,579 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Valparaiso University is in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Valparaiso University 10:1.

BSU vs. Valpo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Valpo? 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 Valpo ($13,599 vs. $21,766).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 9.4% lower than at Valparaiso University ($12,334 vs. $13,618).
• Valparaiso University is 337.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $37,368 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Valpo than at Ball State University (about $18,820 more per year; $48,450.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 184.1% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($37,548 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Valpo Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is the same as at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Valparaiso University 1060/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Valparaiso University 23/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Valpo - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at BSU (3.52).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 9.6% at Valpo.

BSU vs. Valpo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Valpo? 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Valpo graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Valpo graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.