This report breaks down the public cost of tuition at Ball State University (BSU) and looks at how fees can change depending on a student’s residency status, the type of degree undertaken and the level of financial aid awarded.
- As of the 2022/23 academic year, BSU standard undergraduate tuition fees for Indiana students total $8,434.
- BSU standard undergraduate tuition fees for out-of-state students total $25,918.
- This amounts to between $33,736 and $103,672 in tuition for a 4-year undergraduate degree.
- Undergraduate fees have increased by between 5.95% – 6.89% over a 5-year period.
- BSU standard graduate tuition fees for Indiana students total $7,884.
- BSU standard graduate tuition fees for out-of-state students total $21,546.
- Graduate fees have increased by between 6.02% – 6.83% over a 5-year period.
- 80% of students at BSU qualify for merit or need-based financial aid which can significantly reduce fees.
- If a student is selected for a scholarship at BSU, it will generally range from $1,000 – $16,000 per year.
BSU standard undergraduate tuition fees (full-time)
- As of the 2022/23 academic year, BSU tuition fees for Indiana students on standard undergraduate courses total $8,434.
- BSU tuition fees for out-of-state students on standard undergraduate courses total $25,918.
- Undergraduates studying out-of-state pay 207.30% more in tuition than Indiana residents.
- Student services fees total $1,344.
| Fee type | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | Change |
| Tuition fee (Indiana) | $7,890 | $8,014 | $8,138 | $8,284 | $8,434 | + 6.89% |
| Tuition fee (Out-of-state) | $24,462 | $24,794 | $25,126 | $25,518 | $25,918 | + 5.95% |
| Student services fee | $1,344 | $1,344 | $1,344 | $1,344 | $1,344 |
BSU standard graduate tuition fees (full-time)
- As of the 2022/23 academic year, BSU tuition fees for Indiana students on standard graduate courses total $7,884.
- BSU tuition fees for out-of-state students on standard graduate courses total $21,546.
- Graduates studying out-of-state pay 173.29% more in tuition than Indiana residents.
- Student services fees total $1,344.
| Fee type | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | Change |
| Tuition fee (Indiana) | $7,380 | $7,506 | $7,632 | $7,758 | $7,884 | + 6.83% |
| Tuition fee (Out-of-state) | $20,322 | $20,610 | $20,898 | $21,222 | $21,546 | + 6.02% |
| Student services fee | $1,344 | $1,344 | $1,344 | $1,344 | $1,344 |
A graph is given below to compare tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate students at BSU by academic year:
BSU financial aid
- 80% of students at BSU qualify for merit or need-based financial aid.
- The average grant/scholarship awarded to freshmen totals $12,000.
- Latest figures show that 90% of freshmen students receive financial aid.
- 69% of undergraduates receive financial aid.
- In terms of loans, the average BSU student borrows $28,000.
- This is $7,000 lower than the national average ($35,000).
BSU grants
- At BSU, federal grants, Indiana grants and Ball State grants are available to students.
- These grants are commonly based upon student financial need.
- Upon submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students are automatically considered for grants and other types of aid.
- The cost of a grant does not usually have to be repaid by students.
Key BSU scholarships
- In general, scholarships at BSU range from $1,000 – $16,000 per year.
- Scholarships range in duration from 1 year to a maximum of 4 years (through renewals).
- Out-of-state and international students can expect to receive higher scholarship amounts to account for their increased costs of tuition.
| Name | Max annual amount (type) | Max duration |
| Ball State Scholars Award | $4,000 (in-state) $14,000 (out-of-state) | 4 years |
| Ball State Transfer Scholarship | $1,000 (transfer) | 3 years |
| Distinction Scholarship | $12,000 (out-of-state) | 4 years |
| Global Achievement Scholarship | $12,000 (international) | 4 years |
| Global Distinction Scholarship | $14,000 (international) | 4 years |
| Global Honors Scholarship | $16,000 (international) | 4 years |
| Guardian Scholars | $2,500 | 4 years |
| Holmes McFadden Journalism Scholarship | $1,000 | 4 years |
| Merrell Thomas Marshall Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | 1 year |
| Midwest Regional Scholarship | $12,500 (midwest) | 4 years |
| Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) | $12,500 (midwest) | 4 years |
| Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship | $4,000 | 1 year |
| Presidential Scholarship | $5,500 (in-state) $16,000 (out-of-state) | 4 years |
| Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship | $4,500 (transfer) | 2 years |
| YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship | $14,000 (non-resident) | 8 semesters |
BSU athletic funding
- Latest figures show benefactors raise over $4 million annually to support Ball State Athletics.
- Of this number, $1.10 million is raised through annual giving support.
- The average gift amount is $1,030, an increase of 194% over the previous academic year.
- Costs of student-athlete scholarships (grant-in-aid) are the largest annual expense for Ball State Athletics.
- Money raised from benefactors contributes towards funding student-athletes and athletic programs.