Ball State University

www.bsu.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$8,688

3.01% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$13,017

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

71.6%

28,668 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

20,440

69.2% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

62.7%

2,487 Graduates

About

Ball State University is a higher education institution located in Delaware County, IN. In 2023, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Ball State University were Education of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities (962 degrees awarded), General Special Education & Teaching (132 degrees), and General Business (128 degrees).

In 2023, 6,463 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Ball State University. 71.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 28.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (4,909 degrees), 9.66 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (508 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Ball State University is $8,688, which is $−22,315 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Ball State University was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 5,460 total borrowers.

Photo by Daniel Hartwig

Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Ball State University is $8,688, which is $22,316 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $13,017.

In 2023, 69% of undergraduate students attending Ball State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 73% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$8,688

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Ball State University was $8,688. The cost of tuition at Ball State University is $−22,316 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Ball State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$13,017

2023 Value

3.19%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Ball State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,017. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Ball State University grew by 3.19%.

This chart compares the average net price of Ball State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$10,904

Room and Board

$1,454

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Ball State University was of $10,904 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 1% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,454. The cost of books and supplies increased by 6.6% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Ball State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

69%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

73%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

69% of undergraduate students at Ball State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 20.7% with respect to 2022, when 87% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Ball State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Ball State University was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 5460 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Ball State University received 28,668 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 25.4% annual growth. Out of those 28,668 applicants, 20,525 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 71.6% acceptance rate.

There were 20,440 students enrolled at Ball State University in 2023. 32% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Ball State University has an overall enrollment yield of 18.6%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

71.6%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

20,525

Accepted Out of 28,668

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Ball State University was 71.6% (20,525 admissions from 28,668 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 68.9%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 25.4%, while admissions grew by 30.2%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Ball State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

32%

Submission Percentage (2023)

1,233

Scores Submitted (2023)

32% of enrolled first-time students at Ball State University in 2023 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Ball State University had a total enrollment of 20,440 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Ball State University is 14,154 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,286. This means that 69.2% of students enrolled at Ball State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Ball State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 71.2% White, 9.86% Black or African American, 8.35% Hispanic or Latino, 4.26% Two or More Races, 2.63% Asian, 0.142% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0538% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Ball State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (44.8%), followed by White Male (29.1%) and Black or African American Female (6.08%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (45.6%), followed by White Male (17.9%) and Black or African American Female (6.52%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

69.2%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Ball State University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 20,440 students. The full-time enrollment at Ball State University is 14,154 and the part-time enrollment is 6,286. This means that 69.2% of students enrolled at Ball State University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.9% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Ball State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

77%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Ball State University was 77%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Ball State University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Ball State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
14,551 enrolled students
Black or African American
2,016 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,706 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Ball State University is 71.2% White, 9.86% Black or African American, 8.35% Hispanic or Latino, 4.26% Two or More Races, 2.63% Asian, 0.142% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0538% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 46.5% White, 15.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.78% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 411 students (2.01%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 2,749 more women than men received degrees from Ball State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Ball State University is white (4,909 degrees awarded). There were 9.66 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (508 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Ball State University is Education of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities (962 degrees awarded), followed by General Special Education & Teaching (132 degrees) and General Business (128 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Ball State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Education (2,530 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (135 degrees), and Communications (418 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Ball State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,676,882 people), Secondary school teachers (562,020 people), Other managers (379,538 people), Education administrators (346,518 people), and Special education teachers (236,437 people).

The most specialized majors at Ball State University in 2023 are Education (2,530 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (135 degrees), Communications (418 degrees), Psychology (437 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (274 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Ball State University are Surgeons, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Physicians, Nurse anesthetists, and Cardiovascular technologists and technicians

The most specialized majors at Ball State University are Education (2,530 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (135 degrees), Communications (418 degrees), Psychology (437 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (274 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Ball State University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,229,353 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (535,480 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (371,044 people), Outpatient care centers (239,924 people), and Computer Systems Design (195,042 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Ball State University.

Most Common (2023)

Liberal Arts & Sciences
199 degrees awarded
General Psychology
189 degrees awarded
Digital Communication & Multimedia
178 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Ball State University was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 199 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Ball State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,857

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

4,606

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 1,857 degrees were awarded to men at Ball State University, which is 0.403 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,606).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Ball State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 188 degrees were awarded to men at Ball State University in General Business, which is 1.63 times more than the 115 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 895 degrees were awarded to men at Ball State University in Education of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities, which is 9.94 times more than the 90 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

54%

100% Completion Time

68%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 54% of students graduating from Ball State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 68% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 69% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Ball State University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.764% of graduates (19 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
4,909 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
508 degrees awarded
Black or African American
446 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Ball State University is white (4,909 degrees awarded). There were 9.66 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (508 degrees).

1.01% of degree recipients (65 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
3,490 degrees awarded
White Male
1,419 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
372 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Ball State University is white female (3,490 degrees awarded). There were 2.46 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (1,419 degrees).

Operations

Ball State University has an endowment valued at nearly $238M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 15.1M (6.37%) compared to the 4.37% average return (19M on 434M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2023, Ball State University had a total salary expenditure of 473M. Ball State University employs 289 Lecturers, 223 Associate professors and 177 Professors. Most academics at Ball State University are Female Lecturer (172), Male Associate professor (118), and Male Lecturer (117).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Ball State University are: Service, with 425 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 389 employees, and Management with 383 employees.

Endowment

$238M

2023 Endowment

1.35%

decline from 2022

Ball State University has an endowment valued at about $238M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Ball State University declined 1.35% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $196M lower than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Ball State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$216M

2023 Salaries

0.182%

decline from 2022

In 2023, Ball State University paid a median of $216M in salaries, which represents 45.7% of their overall expenditure ($473M) and a 0.182% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 2.22% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 7.31% decline between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 246M (41.5% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$72.5M

Instructional Salaries

968

Number of Employees

In 2023, Ball State University paid a total of $72.5M to 968 employees working as instructors, which represents 33.5% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.13M (2.35%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Lecturer

Most Common Instructor

289 Employees

Service

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

425 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Ball State University were Lecturer with 289 employees, Associate professor with 223 employees, and Professor with 177 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Ball State University were Service with 425 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 389 employees, and Management with 383 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Female Lecturer
Male Associate professor
Male Lecturer

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Ball State University was Female Lecturer with 172 employees, Male Associate professor with 118 employees, and Male Lecturer with 117 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Ball State University.

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