Ball State University admits 71.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Ball State in the Moderately Selective tier, making it more accessible than highly competitive institutions while maintaining academic standards. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Ball State is slightly more selective than typical large public universities, accepting about 6.5 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This level of selectivity means that most academically prepared students have reasonable admission prospects, though the university does maintain standards for enrollment. Students with solid high school performance and test scores within the university's ranges should expect favorable admission outcomes. For prospective students, Ball State represents a balanced option between open access institutions and highly competitive universities. The moderate selectivity level suggests that students should still present competitive applications, but exceptional credentials are not required for admission. Applicants should view Ball State as a match or safety school depending on their academic profile, making it valuable for building balanced college lists that include both reach and accessible options.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Ball State typically present strong academic credentials that place the university among top-tier performers nationally. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1080 to 1250, with a median of 1172, while ACT scores span from 25 to 30 with a median of 24. The middle 50% of students score between these ranges, meaning students with scores below 1080 SAT or 25 ACT are less common but not automatically excluded from consideration. SAT Math scores typically range from 530 to 620, while SAT Verbal scores fall between 550 and 630, indicating balanced academic preparation across disciplines. Ball State's test score performance ranks at the 93rd percentile for SAT and 92nd percentile for ACT, demonstrating excellent academic caliber among enrolled students despite the university's moderate admission rate. Compared to peer institutions, Ball State students score 26 points lower on average than the peer median of 1198, though this difference is relatively modest. Students scoring within the 1080-1250 SAT range or 25-30 ACT range should consider themselves academically competitive for admission. Those with scores below the 25th percentile should expect greater competition but remain viable candidates, particularly with strong high school performance in other areas. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with Ball State's ranges when assessing fit and building comprehensive college application lists.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Ball State enrolls a diverse student body that reflects both academic achievement and varied socioeconomic backgrounds. The university serves 33.6% Pell-eligible students, indicating significant enrollment of students from lower-income families who qualify for federal need-based aid. First-generation college students comprise 27.7% of the student body, demonstrating Ball State's role in expanding educational opportunity to families without prior college experience. Transfer students represent 13.2% of enrollment, showing the university welcomes students from community colleges and other institutions seeking to complete their degrees. This composition suggests that Ball State prioritizes both academic preparation and broad educational access in its admission decisions. Students from diverse economic backgrounds should recognize that approximately one-third of their potential classmates share similar financial circumstances. First-generation students can take confidence in knowing that more than one in four enrolled students are navigating college as the first in their families to pursue higher education. The substantial Pell and first-generation populations indicate that Ball State actively supports students who might face additional challenges in college financing and navigation. Prospective students should consider this diversity of backgrounds as a strength of the campus community, creating opportunities for peer support and varied perspectives in the educational environment.
Ball State's 71.6% acceptance rate makes it accessible for most academically prepared students, though alternatives exist for different priorities and circumstances.
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Ball State demonstrates solid student success outcomes with room for improvement in key retention and completion metrics. The university maintains a 77.2% freshman retention rate, which falls below the peer median of 83.7%, indicating that nearly one in four students do not return for sophomore year. However, those who remain at Ball State typically progress to graduation, with a 63.3% six-year completion rate that also trails the peer median of 65.9%. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at a 57.7% rate, creating a 5.6 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates. This gap suggests that lower-income students face additional challenges in degree completion, though the majority still achieve graduation. Students who gain admission should expect institutional support systems, though the retention and completion data indicate that success requires personal commitment and engagement with available resources. Prospective Pell-eligible students should carefully evaluate the support services and financial aid packaging to ensure they can persist through degree completion. The completion rates suggest that students who remain engaged through their first year have strong prospects for eventual graduation. For students considering Ball State, these metrics indicate the importance of academic preparedness, financial planning, and early engagement with campus support systems to maximize success outcomes.
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