BSU vs. Westminster College

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Westminster College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 1,191 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Westminster College is in New Wilmington, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westminster College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Westminster College 12:1.

BSU vs. Westminster College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Westminster 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 Westminster College ($13,599 vs. $20,394).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 4.2% lower than at Westminster College ($12,334 vs. $12,880).
• Westminster College is 263.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $29,208 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at Westminster College than at Ball State University (about $10,660 more per year; $40,290.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westminster College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westminster College students is 146.3% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($32,553 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Westminster College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 20 points higher than at Westminster College (1150).
• Incoming Westminster College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Westminster College 1040/1258.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Westminster College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Westminster College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Westminster College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at BSU (3.52).
• Westminster College 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. 12.1% at Westminster College.

BSU vs. Westminster College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Westminster 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).

• Westminster College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Westminster College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 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 Westminster College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westminster College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Westminster College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.