BSU vs. Xavier

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Xavier based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 5,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

BSU vs. Xavier Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Xavier? 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 Xavier ($13,599 vs. $33,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 11.4% lower than at Xavier University ($12,334 vs. $13,920).
• Xavier University is 357% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $39,558 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at Xavier than at Ball State University (about $21,010 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Xavier University than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 142.8% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($32,088 vs. $13,218).

BSU vs. Xavier Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Xavier University (1210) is 40 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming Xavier 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; Xavier University 1103/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Xavier University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Xavier - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Xavier students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at BSU (3.52).
• Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than BSU (85.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 7.3% at Xavier.

BSU vs. Xavier Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Xavier? 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).

• Xavier University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from Xavier University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,500 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 Xavier graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Xavier graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.