BSU vs. Wabash College

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Wabash College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Wabash College is in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Wabash College 9:1.

BSU vs. Wabash College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Wabash College? 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 Wabash College ($13,599 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 14.3% lower than at Wabash College ($12,334 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 358.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $39,718 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.4% higher at Wabash College than at Ball State University (about $21,170 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 199.6% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($39,605 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Wabash College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is the same as at Wabash College (1170).
• Incoming Wabash College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Wabash College 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Wabash College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Wabash College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wabash College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 18.4% at Wabash College.

BSU vs. Wabash College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Wabash College? 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wabash College and BSU graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wabash College and BSU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Wabash College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.