North Central College vs. BSU

Comparable Facts

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

Ball State University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (21,089 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Ball State University is in Muncie, IN (Small City setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Ball State University 14:1.

North Central College vs. BSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or BSU? 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 North Central College ($13,599 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 16% lower than at North Central College ($12,334 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 312.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSU (about $34,644 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $11,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at North Central College than at Ball State University (about $16,096 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $29,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at Ball State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 157.6% larger than aid received by Ball State University students ($34,056 vs. $13,218).

North Central College vs. BSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 10 points higher than at BSU (1170).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Ball State University 1080/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Ball State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; BSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman North Central 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 North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 20.4% at BSU.

North Central College vs. BSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College and BSU? 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).

• North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Ball State University's (55%).
• Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ball State University and North Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Ball State University and North Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.