BSU vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

BSU vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or VCU? 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 VCU ($13,599 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 32.4% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,334 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $5,863 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.4% higher at VCU than at Ball State University (about $10,479 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at Ball State University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($14,186 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at BSU (3.52).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

BSU vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.