Ball State University's published cost of attendance is $26,146. Net price by income band reflects the university's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $7,834, middle-income families pay around $14,333, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,479.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $26,146 |
| Tuition and Fees | $29,630 |
| Room and Board | $12,334 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,400 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,206 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,940 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $7,834 |
| $30–48k | $9,848 |
| $48–75k | $14,333 |
| $75–110k | $19,567 |
| $110k+ | $23,479 |
Ball State University's published cost of attendance is $26,146. Net price by income band reflects the university's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $7,834, middle-income families pay around $14,333, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,479. Azimuth ranks Ball State University #428 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Ball State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university's aid structure works to close the gap between published cost and what families actually pay. The affordability rank reflects both the headline net price and the debt load graduates carry, accounting for how earnings stretch against borrowing obligations over time. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,250, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $20,800; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,619, median federal debt of $23,250 projects to a monthly payment of about $263 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Ball State University earn median earnings of $57,619 four years after enrollment, placing Ball State University in the 32.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,953 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Ball State University in the 45.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Ball State University #811 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program family is Business, which shapes both the scale and the earnings profile of the typical graduate. The program lineup at Ball State University reflects a broad, professionally oriented mix. Nursing anchors the return story by combining high enrollment with competitive median earnings, making it the single largest contributor to aggregate graduate earnings at the institution. The Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program graduates 197 students with median earnings of $47,737 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #28 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions . Business/Commerce, General and General Studies are also among the larger programs by cohort scale — 174 and 171 graduates respectively — with median earnings of $67,141 and $49,657 four years after enrollment. On the higher-earning end, Teacher Education and Nursing post median earnings of $48,344 and $76,161 four years after enrollment, with Azimuth ranking Teacher Education #112 and Nursing #273 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
