ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Colleges / Ball State University

Ball State University

Muncie, IN 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate69%

Ball State Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Ball State was $8,688 a year for in-state students and $26,696 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at Ball State University is $26,696 per year.

Ball State University meets 80.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Ball State University is around $16,710 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $26,388 of debt.

Does Ball State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Ball State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $8,688 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered Indiana-residents, out-of-state tuition is $26,696 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Indiana colleges

Is Ball State University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Ball State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Ball State University can expect to pay around $26,696 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Ball State University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideBall State University •Ball State University-specific loans •Ball State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Ball State University Room, Board, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Ball State University.

House and Food Costs at Ball State University

Housing and campus dining at Ball State University is $14,632 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Ball State University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Ball State University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area may be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Ball State Universityis in a suburb in Indiana, near Indianapolis.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


The Full Cost of Attending Ball State University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to Ball State University.

Total Cost of Ball State University

What will the cost of attending Ball State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $8,688
Out-of-State Tuition $26,696
Room and Board $14,632
Other expenses $2,176

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Ball State University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for part-time students


Financial Aid at Ball State University


The majority of Ball State University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 7,968 of the 14,409 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Ball State University meets 80.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,710 a year. Around 66.3% of Ball State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Ball State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,388 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $20,511
Ball State University-Specific Loans $4,900
Private Loans $28,064
Most Common Loans for Ball State University Students
Federal Loans 65.2%
Private loans 14.7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Ball State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Ball State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Ball State University awarded 5,456 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $44.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $63.14 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Ball State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Ball State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Ball State University was $16,710 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Ball State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-5,918
Net In-state, Off-campus $-3,840
Out-of-State, On-Campus $28,800

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Ball State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Ball State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Ball State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Ball State University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Ball State University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Ball State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Ball State has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Ball State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Ball State University's endowment, check with the school directly.


Learn More About Ball State University


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about Ball State University:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Ball State University

Ball State Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$25,326

In State

$43,334

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$8,688
$26,696
Fees
$2,006
$2,006
Housing
$14,632
$14,632
Books
Unknown
Unknown

Ball State Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

43%

Average Financial Aid Package

$16,341

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

19,770

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

69%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$10,694

Out-of-State

$28,702

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Aug 7
Find Your Scholarship

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Search for Scholarship
Do You Work at a University?

Claim your page to customize your profile and connect with students!

Claim Free Account
ECE68226-946A-49FB-9EBE-25C918B98643
Need Advice or Have a Question About Ball State?

Connect with the world's largest college forum for candid, authentic discussion.

Join the Conversation