BSU vs. Youngstown State

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than Youngstown State based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 12,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN (Small City setting); Youngstown State University is in Youngstown, OH (Small City setting).
• Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Youngstown State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ball State University 14:1; Youngstown State University 20:1.

BSU vs. Youngstown State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BSU or Youngstown State? 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 Youngstown State University than BSU ($12,757 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Youngstown State University are 4.9% lower than at Ball State University ($11,730 vs. $12,334).
• Youngstown State University is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $31 more per year; $11,113.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158.3% higher at BSU than at Youngstown State University (about $18,157 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $11,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Youngstown State University than at Ball State University (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 57% larger than aid received by Youngstown State University students ($13,218 vs. $8,420).

BSU vs. Youngstown State Admissions comparison

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

• Youngstown State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 50 points higher than at Youngstown State (1120).
• Incoming BSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Youngstown State (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 1080/1260; Youngstown State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ball State University 20/24; Youngstown State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BSU - Test optional; Youngstown State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Youngstown State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BSU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Youngstown State (3.51).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Youngstown State (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at BSU vs. 29.4% at Youngstown State.

BSU vs. Youngstown State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BSU and Youngstown State? 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 Youngstown State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Ball State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Youngstown State graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,500 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Youngstown State graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, BSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Youngstown State graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More BSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Youngstown State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 36%)

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.