What is the acceptance rate at Ball State University?

Ball State University's acceptance rate is approximately 86% (Muncie, IN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Ball State University?

Admitted students at Ball State University typically score 1080–1260 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Ball State University cost?

At Ball State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $14,940 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Ball State University?

Ball State University enrolls approximately 13,988 undergraduate students.

Where is Ball State University located?

Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN.

Ball State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Ball State University

Muncie, INpublicbsu.edu

Acceptance

86%

SAT 25–75

1080–1260

Avg net price

$14,940

Earnings (10 yr)

$51,833

Graduation rate

62%

Admit rate has ranged 68%–87% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Ball State University is a public research university in Muncie, Indiana, known for its accessible admissions, strong programs in education, architecture, and telecommunications, and a lively campus culture. With an 85% acceptance rate and a focus on hands-on learning, Ball State attracts students who want a practical, career-oriented education without the cutthroat competition of more selective schools. Its graduates stay in Indiana at high rates, fueling the local economy.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 13,988
In-state tuition: $11,082
Out-of-state tuition: $29,630
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Avg Grant Award: $9,176
6-Year Graduation Rate: 65%
Students Receiving Aid: 87%
Median Earnings (5 Yrs): $54,001
Post-Grad Employment Rate: 94%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $51,833
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 3.5×
Median debt at graduation: $23,250
Graduation rate: 62%
First-year retention: 78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 65%
Pell (lower-income) share: 51%
First-generation share: 28%
Endowment / student: $18,646

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations$69,338
Construction Management$64,493
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$63,997
Management Information Systems and Services$56,776
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$56,505
Computer and Information Sciences, General

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 10
Per 1,000 students: 0.71

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 93
Summer high: 82°F
Winter low: 25°F
Annual rain: 42.2"
Annual snow: 20.6"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 264
Scholarly works: 17,070

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 0.8%
Bottom → top quintile: 17%
From bottom quintile: 5%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Ball State University?: Ball State University's acceptance rate is approximately 86% (Muncie, IN), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Ball State University?: Admitted students at Ball State University typically score 1080–1260 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Ball State University cost?: At Ball State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $14,940 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Ball State University?: Ball State University enrolls approximately 13,988 undergraduate students.
Where is Ball State University located?: Ball State University is located in Muncie, IN.

Admissions

Ball State is decidedly not a reach school—with an 85% acceptance rate, it’s one of the more accessible public universities in the Midwest. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1080–1240 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT, though the school is test-optional, letting applicants decide whether to submit scores. Admissions decisions weigh high school GPA heavily, with less emphasis on extracurriculars or essays. The process is straightforward: no interviews, no early decision, just rolling admissions with a priority deadline of December 1. Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 800-482-4278 or Lucina Hall, 2000 W University Ave., for specifics.

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