Ball State University
Muncie, IN, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$13,195
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$8,273
$30k - $48k
$10,786
$48k - $75k
$15,158
$75k - $110k
$19,563
$110k+
$21,875
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$10,440
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$27,924
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$10,904
Books and Supplies
$1,454
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
81%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
33%
Average Aid Per Year
$12,049
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
33%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,258
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$7,206
Students receiving state aid
37%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$7,539
Students receiving federal aid
40%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,258
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$44,265,588
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$63,138,469

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
62%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,772
Students receiving federal loans
61%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,521
Average Other Loans Per Year
$12,741
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$16,120
Loan Default Rate
7%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$224

What Students Are Saying

While the university is big-small in that it has large amounts of potential, while having a small campus feel, the prices can be quite expensive. Without financial aid, grants, and assistance, Ball State University can quickly became expensive. Thankfully, the programs in all areas from tuition aid to meal plans are well constructed and fit to your everyday life.
Jared from Muncie, IN
Ball State is kind of pricy especially if you are out of state but you tuition does include several things. You can get free tutoring and study materials for just about anything. The library we have here is one of the best around. From journal articles to an AMAZING teacher's resource section and renting cd's and dvd's, BSU library has it all!
Stacy from Jackson, LA
In state tuition is pretty good here. Living on campus is hardly worth paying so much. I did not enjoy dorm living, especially for how much I had to pay to live there. However, I do see that Ball State tries to take you in effect. They try to put you in places where you will be with people in the same major or at least in some of your classes so you are not teamed up with a bunch of strangers. I highly suggest taking summer classes if you live in state. Core classes tend to be pretty in-expensive and you are not in class as long.
Christina from Columbus, IN
i can't tell you how much free stuff i recieved within the first few weeks of school. i think half my wardrobe consists of ball state tshirts that they were just handing out to anyone that walked by. with your meal plans, you get a lot of food for the 7.55 you're given. all the food is really cheap. you get a lot for your money, for example, access to an amazing new gym, free plays, and a bus that will take you anywhere in Muncie.
Halie from Avon, IN
While moderately expensive at times, Ball State is a good school. For journalism, architecture and telecommunications students, you certainly get a good deal for coming here for reasons stated above. The dining areas have pretty good food; which places you'll like depend on your tastes, but you can find at least one place you would eat at frequently. The newer dorms are very nice (Park and Dehority are like almost hotel-like; Elliot [Hogwarts in some circles] looks like a castle) while the older ones are still decent. Free public bus rides and good opportunities for obtaining scholarships/internships through the website help this category quite a bit.
Tyrone from Fort Wayne, IN
Ball State offers a huge number of scholarships just remember apply early and really try hard on those scholarship essays, they count! Also the number of activities and opportunities Ball State provides to students free of charge is amazing. We can get free tickets to shows that the community pays 30 dollars or more for and they aren't just back row seats either (I got tickets about 7-10 rows from the stage!). The LateNite program is nice it is free for students and provides free food!
Rachael from Sandy Creek, NY
Though college tuition is not cheap, Ball State is one of the cheapest Indiana public colleges. Its cheaper than IU and Purdue, and less than private colleges. Ball State is willing to help, with scholarships and financial aid if needed. There are many job opportunities as well.
Kaysee from Schererville, IN
Depending on your financial aid and scholarships, Ball State can be a great deal. My husband and I are living off campus, and with our scholarships included, only paying about 3000 each per year. Sure, there are better deals out there, and its also possible that you may have to go full price. However, Ball State is a good choice for a tight budget--and you still get all that good ol' college experience, too.
Catherine from Muncie, IN
When you are a Ball State Cardinal you definitely get what you pay for. Though college tuition is not cheap at Ball State it is worth it to attend such a well rounded university. Private schools cost twice as much and other public schools that may be cheaper will not give you the college experience you may be looking for. Ball State does. With group and individual activities, tutoring, career opportunities, entertainment, and free transportation Ball State really knows how to help out a college student.
Marissa from Dana, IN
I love the campus, and I loved being there, but it was a burden having to find money to go there. Ball State did do a great job, however, with helping me find a way to pay for school.
Rebecca from Kokomo, IN