Established in 1918, Ball State University is a public research university located in Muncie, Indiana. The university has a suburban setting and occupies over 1140 acres of land. Ball State has been ranked at #204 as per US News National University Rankings.
Over the years Ball State has developed into a world-class university with a number of programs in the fields of education, architecture, business, communications, fine arts, sciences, humanities, and health and has emerged as a prestigious institute among international aspirants looking to study in the USA. Currently, it boasts seven academic colleges through which all the programs at Ball State University are offered. It is affordable and offers a variety of scholarships and assistantships to both native and international students.
Ball State is quite affordable since every 4 out of 5 students of the university receive some kind of financial aid. More than 2,000 candidates participate in voluntary services conducted by the institute, ensuring that the students of the university grow not only academically but also socially. Admissions at Ball State University are available for fall, spring and summer. You will be required to apply for admission by March 1 for the Fall semester and December 1 for the Spring semester. While the students applying for the summer term need to complete the application process by April 1.
- Highlights
- Ball State University Programs
2.1 Popular Programs at the Ball State University
- Ball State University Campus
- Ball State University Residence
- Ball State University Application Process
- Ball State University Cost of Attendance
- Ball State University Rankings
- Ball State University Scholarships
- Ball State University Placements
- FAQs
Highlights
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Campus Setting | Suburban |
| Endowment | 212.8 million USD |
| Housing capacity | 75% |
| Work-study | Available |
| Total Enrolment | 22,541 |
| Mode of Study | Full-time, Part-time, Online |
| English Proficiency Requirement | IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson’s PTE |
| Financial Aid | Grants, Scholarships, Loans, Work-study |
| Admission Help | +765-289-1241, askus@bsu.edu |
| Website | bsu.edu |
Ball State University Programs
- The university offers over 120 undergraduate and 100 graduate programs through 7 academic schools and colleges.
- The university is popular for its programs in Education, Architecture, Business, Communications, Fine arts, sciences and humanities, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Health professions, and Psychology.
- Ball State University is the one and the only institution in the United States that offers a Certification in Education for Public Relations, certified by the Public Relations Society of America.
- Popular majors include Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Psychology.
- The university has six special programs which are given below:
- Honors college
- Degree in 3
- ROTC military science
- Programs in supplemental applications
- Study abroad
- Online classes
- The MBA program offered at Ball State University is considered to be among the world's 5% of business schools. The university MBA program offers 10 concentrations such as artificial intelligence, business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, information, and technology management, logistics and supply chain management, and many more.
- Furthermore, the MBA program is offered on campus, online, and as a blended learning option too.
Popular Programs at the Ball State University
Listed below are the couses that are most popular among international students:
| Course Name | Duration | Tuition Fees (in USD) | Tuition Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science [M.S] Software Engineering | 1 Year | $44,388 | ₹38,00,944 |
| Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] | 2 Years | $44,388 | ₹38,00,944 |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Physics | 1 Year | $44,388 | ₹38,00,944 |
| Master Architecture | 2 Years | $44,388 | ₹38,00,944 |
| Master of Arts [M.A] Actuarial Science | 2 Years | $22,568 | ₹18,81,271 |
| Master of Science [M.S] Information and Communication Sciences | 1 Year | $22,568 | ₹18,81,271 |
| Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Journalism - Graphics, Magazine Media, News, Photo | 4 Years | $53,392 | ₹4571957 |
| Bachelor Fine Arts | 4 Years | $53,392 | ₹4571957 |
Ball State University Campus
- There are seven colleges in Ball State University, with the main campus sprawled over 1,140 acres.
- The main campus of BSU is equipped with advanced educational facilities that combine emerging technology and environmentally friendly design offering high-quality education.
- The University has recreational facilities for students such as an indoor climbing wall, student recreation and wellness center, Ball gym pool, Racquetball courts, and many more
- Muncie is well known for its cultural and recreational facilities which include Minnetrista, cardinal greenways, Muncie civic theatre, and many more. The city also ranks as the most affordable place to live in the United States.
Ball State University Residence
- The university has 15 residence halls for its students and can accommodate up to 17,000 students.
- Various options of accommodation at BSU include residence halls, apartments, conference housing, and living-learning communities
- The housing is gender-inclusive and the facilities include computer labs, free internet access, fitness rooms, housekeeping, laundry among many others
- The rooms are given on the basis of three types of plans and contracts namely standard, premium and contract terms and has single, double and triple room with optional meal plans that can be chosen at the convenience of the students
- For the fall, the university has modified its housing and dining contracts where students will be billed only for 13 weeks as opposed to 16 weeks in the earlier contract
- The university is also equipped with housing for disabled students as per the need of the person.
Ball State University Application Process
- International applicants need to prepare additionally while applying for admission at Ball State University.
- Application portal: The aspiring students can apply online considering the type of student they are on:
- PG: Online Portal
- UG: Online Portal
- Application fee: 60 USD
- Application Requirements
- GED and TASC test scores
- Transcripts from previous institutions
- English language proficiency
- GPA requirements: 2.0 for UG, 2.75 for PG
- Passport copy
- Financial documentation such as personal funding, private sponsorship or ball state sponsorship
- Application deadlines for international students are:
- Fall term – June 15
- Spring term – November 15
- Summer term – March 15
- English proficiency requirements for international applicants are tabulated below:
| TOEFL | 79 |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| Pearson’s PTE | 53 |
| SAT (English section) | 21 |
Ball State University Cost of Attendance
The aspirants who wish to secure admission at Ball state university can plan their finances by taking an estimate of the below-given program fee offered by the institute for their undergraduate and graduate programs.
| Expenses | UG (USD) | PG (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 25126 | 20610 |
| Room and board | 10676 | - |
| Student service | 1344 | 1344 |
| University technology | 336 | 336 |
| Recreation center | 174 | 174 |
| Health center | 152 | 152 |
| Residence hall technology | 120 | 120 |
| Total Fee | 37,928 | 22,856 |
Additional cost of book/supplies 1,350 USD and personal expense/transportation 2700 to 3200 USD
Ball State University Rankings
Ball State University has been conferred with the following ranks by different ranking agencies:
| Ranking Bodies | Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| QS US University Ranking | 201-250 |
| US News National University Ranking | #204 |
| US News TOP Public School ranking | #113 |
| US News Best Value School | #188 |
US News Subject-Wise Rankings:
- Nursing (Undergraduate): #149
- Economics (Undergraduate): #214
- Best Colleges for Veterans: #145
Ball State University holds a solid position in national and subject-specific rankings. According to the QS US University Rankings 2025, it falls within the 201–250 range, showing it's recognized on a national level. The U.S. News National University Ranking places it at #204, while it's ranked #113 among top public schools, proving its value as a public university.
When it comes to affordability and return on investment, Ball State stands at #188 in Best Value Schools. Subject-wise, it performs reasonably well with #149 in Nursing, #214 in Economics, and #145 in Best Colleges for Veterans, reflecting a supportive environment for both academic growth and veteran students.
Ball State University Scholarships
- Ball state university offers more than 500 scholarships, 80% of the students at the university qualify for financial aid and the average borrowing amount of the student is up to 28K USD.
- The financial aid at the university is available in the form of
- Grants
- Scholarship
- Loans
- Student employment
- Veteran benefits
- The deadline for all type of grants is April 15
- Some of the eligibility factors considered during the process of granting of financial aid are Financial need, hours enrolled, citizenship policy, satisfactory academic progress, repeat course among others
- The university also takes pride in the fact that over 95% of its students are successful in paying back the loan on time
Ball State University Placements
- The Ball state university has a placement rate of 93% with 82% proudly employed in their respective field of study.
- The university also hosts various activities to help students secure the best opportunities and to hone their skills such as cardinal job fairs, on-campus interviewing, workshops and presentations like a career-ready program.
A career centre is available to help students with everything related to career and placements. The various services provided by the center are mentioned below.
- Cardinal Career Link: It is a forum to connect students with employers, partners, and alumni. Mentoring services are also provided to help with decision making, portfolio building, and other activities.
- Workshops: 2 main programs are conducted as part of the workshop:
- KEY Careers Program
- Knowledge, Experience, and You program.
- Recognized as Nation’s best practice program.
- It is available for every freshman to gain clarity and direction on career paths.
- KEY Careers Program
- Career Ready Program
- This program is available to any undergraduate or graduate student to advance their career possibilities.
- Self-paced
- Helps with employer engagement, leadership, and volunteer experiences to its students.
- A certificate is provided which is accepted by employers.
- Interview assistance: As part of assistance, a lot of practice sessions are available to the students. The students can choose to have practice sessions directly with their career coach or online with pre-loaded questions. Moreover, 50+ corporate volunteers-including top executives, hiring managers, and seasoned professionals- help train the students for the job market.
- Resume assistance: Ball State University has partnered with VMock. This uses predictive analysis, ML, and AI to review resumes. They help optimize the skills of students by providing constructive feedback.
- On-Campus Interviews: These are mainly held in three main settings.
- It is held from September through November and from January through April as a separate event.
- It is held on the day after the career fairs, which include the Fall and Spring Cardinal Job Fairs.
- Virtual interviews are held through skype and other similar media.
- Job Fairs: Virtual Cardinal Job Fair, Teacher Job Fair, and Graduate School Expo are held at various times of the year.
- Employability ranks and median salaries:
- Alumni employment rank by CWUR- 443
- Graduation rate(Niche)- 63%
- Employed 2 years after graduation(Niche)- 95%
- Post-graduation placement rate( Ball state university)- 97%
- Median starting salary of alumni(US News and World Report)- 44,100 USD
- Salary after 10 years (THE)- 39,767 USD
- Salary after 6 years(Niche)- 41,100 USD
- The average salary earned by BSU graduates by the job as reported by Payscale is tabulated below:
| Position | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Board Certified Behavior Analyst | 60,000 |
| Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General) | 72,000 |
| Graphic Designer | 42,000 |
| Landscape Architect | 53,000 |
| Operations Manager | 79,000 |
| Executive Director | 81,000 |
Ball State University has an acceptance rate of around 68%, making it a moderately selective school that welcomes a wide range of students. It has the average class size of 28 students . The university also provides helpful student support services like career counseling, academic advising, mental health services, and tutoring centers to guide students throughout their journey. With a campus that promotes independent growth and hands-on learning, Ball State is a solid choice for students ready to take charge of their future with the right support in place.
FAQs
Ques: What are the pros and cons of studying at Ball State University?
Ans: Ball State University is a public research university with over 20,000 students, known for its strong programs in education, business, and communication. It offers a well-rounded education and opportunities to engage with a diverse student body, making it ideal for self-driven and mature students who can manage their academics and life independently.
However, it may not be the best fit for students who are shy, emotionally unprepared, or need close personal guidance. The campus environment expects students to be self-motivated and responsible. According to student reviews, those who struggled often lacked emotional readiness or time-management skills. The university does not provide intense hand-holding, so high-need students may find it challenging to adjust without strong personal discipline.
Ques. If I complete a Master’s in Secondary Education for teaching, do I still need to apply for the license?
Ans. A university degree is not equivalent to a license and you will require to complete the government requirements to obtain the license.
Ques. Is health insurance mandatory for studying in the US?
Ans. The University endorses a GeoBlue health insurance plan for international students. All international students are automatically enrolled for the insurance unless exempted.
Ques. What are the benefits of living on campus?
Ans. You are close to all the facilities and National research shows that students who live on campus for at least a year graduate at higher rates, and sooner, than those who don't.
Ques. Are students allowed to keep pets on campus?
Ans. The students can bring their pets but have to follow the university policy for keeping them.
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Ball State University Student Profiles
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Ball State University Reviews
1 Reviews Found
Likes
- They have a good computer science program, good location and tuition costs.
Overview
I would define my college or university as an upstanding establishment which allows students to engage with their peers, seek help when needed, as well as meet and talk to advisors about various internships and programs while on campus.
Campus Life
Campus life is good and there is WiFi provided as well as sports and facilities events.
Ball State University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship | Scholarship per student$20,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship | Scholarship per student$5,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Ball State University Admissions
Application Portal: https://cms.bsu.edu/admissions/undergraduateadmissions/applynow
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Ball State University Exam Scores
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Ball State University Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15762 | 12248 | 3514 | 847 |
Ball State University Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Bus Station
- Pharmacy
- Book Store
- Airport
- Shopping Mall
- Super Market
Bus Station
Book Store
Shopping Mall
Pharmacy
Airport
Super Market
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
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