BSU vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 21,089 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

BSU vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or WVU? 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 WVU ($13,599 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 15.4% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,334 vs. $14,582).
• Ball State University is 9.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $978 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at BSU than at West Virginia University (about $1,022 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Ball State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 6.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($13,218 vs. $12,363).

BSU vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BSU or WVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WVU and BSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming WVU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 1080/1260; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ball State University 20/24; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman BSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WVU (3.45).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 24.8% at WVU.

BSU vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and WVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $999 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($24,001 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.