Ball State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
Ball State’s 85.5% acceptance rate means your strategy should be choosing whether a test score adds strength, not treating admission as a long shot. Since SAT scores are submitted much more often than ACT scores here, aim for roughly 1240 SAT to be above the middle range, or use test-optional if your GPA and coursework are stronger than your scores.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Ball State University facts and stats
Ball State University is a suburban public university with an undergraduate enrollment of 15,189. Ball State has a 78% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 6-year graduation rate of 62%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.
Muncie, IN
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Key Ball State University application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
March 1
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
March 1
Financial Aid Priority
April 15
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to Ball State, take your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and senior fall for retakes to improve your superscore. Because Ball State’s Regular Decision deadline is March 1, a December retake should still leave time for scores to arrive.
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What you'll actually pay
Ball State is a Mid-American Conference public university with in-state tuition of $8,948 and out-of-state tuition of $27,496. About 52% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is April 15.
Ball State’s out-of-state tuition is $27,496, while in-state tuition is $8,948, with room and board adding $12,626. About 52% of students receive aid, and the average aid package is $18,997. Merit awards average $8,531, which can further reduce costs for eligible students. Students graduate with an average debt of $27,972.
Student life at Ball State University
43% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 10% of men join fraternities, and 8% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Anderson University
Anderson, INAcceptance rate: 79.3%
SAT: 940–1160
ACT: 17–24
Bethel University
Mishawaka, INAcceptance rate: 97.7%
SAT: 800–920
ACT: 16–24
Butler University
Indianapolis, INAcceptance rate: 85.1%
SAT: 1170–1330
ACT: 26–31
Calumet College of Saint Joseph
Whiting, INAcceptance rate: 100%
SAT: 813–978
ACT: 13–22
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