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#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

BSU Admission Requirements

Muncie, Indiana

 5 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Ball State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

68.9%
Admission Difficulty for Ball State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at BSU is 68.9%.  Its admission rate is the 12th lowest in Indiana.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into BSU and can you get accepted?

BSU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 15,761 out of the 22,859 who applied were admitted.

Ball State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.52. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into BSU?

69% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Ball State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.52 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT

BSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.52

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Ball State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into BSU are to have around a 3.52 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as BSU accepts 69% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at BSU is 3.52 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #18 in Indiana for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since BSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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BSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Ball State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 30% of students submitted SAT scores and 6% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1090-1260

Applicants Submitting SAT 

30%
SAT Scores for Ball State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 550
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1090
SAT Scores for Ball State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1260
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Ball State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at BSU is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1090-1260. Students who get into Ball State University score in the top 43 percent of all SAT test takers..  BSU ranks #14 in the state of Indiana for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. BSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1090, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1000, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Ball State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1175, you have around a 69% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 81% chance of getting in.

Ball State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1260 and Above Good >81%
1175 to 1260 Avg + 69%-81%
1090 to 1175 Avg - 54%-69%
1005 to 1090 Reach 38%-54%
Less than 1005 Low <38%
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BSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-28 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

6%
ACT Scores for Ball State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 22
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for Ball State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 28
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into BSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to BSU is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 28.  The school ranks #13 in Indiana for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

6 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Ball State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Ball State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into BSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 69% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 83% with a 28 ACT score.

Ball State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
28 and Above Good >83%
25 to 28 Avg + 69%-83%
23 to 25 Avg - 57%-69%
21 to 23 Reach 44%-57%
Less than 21 Low <44%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Ball State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 14,803 8,056 22,859
Accepted 10,481 5,280 15,761
Acceptance Rate 71% 66% 69%
Enrolled 2,162 1,315 3,477
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 25% 22%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Ball State University is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Ball State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Ball State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Ball State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because BSU is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.52 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1180 on the SAT and 25 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Ball State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=150136 IPEDS survey data for Ball State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024