BSU Admission Requirements

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Muncie, IN
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BSU Admission Overview

BSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year BSU admitted 85.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.52 GPA (A-) and SAT 1080-1260 / ACT 20-24. BSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BSU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.bsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/apply-now/test-information

BSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

85.5%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The BSU acceptance rate is 85.5%. Last year, 18,034 of 21,093 applicants were admitted. That is the 33rd lowest acceptance rate in Indiana.

Admission Selectivity

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

BSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Ball State University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.52. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.52

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.52

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at BSU typically have around a 3.52 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. BSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #18 in Indiana for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

BSU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Ball State University is test-optional for first-year applicants. You choose on the application whether Ball State should use SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, and omitting scores does not count against you. If you send scores, Ball State accepts them from the testing agency or on your official transcript and superscores. Scores are required only if your high school does not provide grades. The Honors College also does not require SAT, ACT, or CLT scores.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.bsu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/apply-now/test-information

BSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1080-1260

Freshmen who sent SAT

37%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 550
Math 530
Composite 1080

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 640
Math 620
Composite 1260

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at BSU typically score around a 1170 SAT (middle 50% 1080–1260) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 71st percentile nationally. BSU ranks #12 in the state of Indiana for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1080 to 1260

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

BSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Ball State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1260+	Above 75th	>92%
1170 to 1260	Avg +	85%-92%
1080 to 1170	Avg -	75%-85%
Below 1080	Below mid-50	<75%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

BSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

20-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 19
Composite 20

75th Percentile Scores

English 23
Math 25
Composite 24

Average ACT

Incoming testers at BSU typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 20–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. BSU places #23 among colleges in Indiana for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to BSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Ball State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
24+	Above 75th	>92%
22 to 24	Avg +	85%-92%
20 to 22	Avg -	75%-85%
Below 20	Below mid-50	<75%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the BSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Ball State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	13,132	7,961	21,093
Accepted	11,329	6,705	18,034
Acceptance Rate	86%	84%	85%
Enrolled	2,295	1,391	3,686
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	21%	20%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Ball State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

BSU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 85.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.52 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1080-1260); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025