<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>Room and board cost is $693 lower than the national average </li><li>High number of academic programs </li><li>The confocal microscope in the Digital Imaging Center is the only one in the area </li><li>Student debt following graduation is $993 less than the national average </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>In-state total cost (including tuition and living expenses) is $3,630 higher than the national average; out-of-state total cost is $5,249 more than the national average </li><li>Student-faculty ratio is higher than the national average </li><li>High number of TAs teaching classes </li></ul><h3 id="section---AboutBallStateUniversity"> About Ball State University</h3> <p>The total cost for students at Ball State University is somewhat higher than the national average, which may be a deterrent to some applicants. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that total costs in 2012-2013 were $21,490 for in-state students and $36,160 for out-of-state students. However, according to <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i>, student debt was $993 less than the national average of $26,660 in 2011. </p> <p>You may also find that the quality and reputation of some of the university's programs and facilities are worth the higher-than-average costs. For example, Ball State University is the home of the Human Performance Lab, a state-of-the-art center focused on human physiology where researchers have collaborated with NASA astronauts. In addition, students and faculty in the communications department have earned a total of 39 Emmys. </p> <p>At BSU, you have well over 100 academic programs to choose from. However, about 42% of instructors are teaching assistants, and the student-teacher ratio is 18 to 1, compared to the national average of 16 to 1, according to the NCES. If you need more support, you may work closely with your advisor for guidance and take advantage of the services offered by the student learning center, which include workshops and free tutoring. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmissionsFinancialAidAtBallStateUniversity">Admissions &amp; Financial Aid at Ball State University</h2> <p>The acceptance rate at Ball State University is 61%, which is slightly less than the national average. The priority deadline to submit your application is March 1st. You may submit your application online or on paper. Admission decisions are based on your GPA and coursework, as well as your standardized test scores and extracurricular activities. Students are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can expect to be notified soon after a complete application is submitted. </p> <p>Costs to attend the school are higher than the national average, but 64% of students received some sort of financial aid in 2011, and the average need-based award amount for undergraduates was $6,370. To qualify for financial aid, you must submit your FAFSA by March 10th. You can pay your entire tuition at the beginning of the semester, or you can take advantage of the tuition installment payment plan where you can make four payments throughout the semester. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Priority Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> March 1 for fall; December 1 for spring***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013)</i> </td><td> March 10***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Notification of Acceptance (2013)</i> </td><td> Rolling</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Application Fee (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> $55*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Acceptance Rate (2012)</i> </td><td> 61%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2012-2013)</i> </td><td>Total in-state cost: $21,490 <br />Total out-of-state cost: $36,160*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Need-Based Financial Assistance for Undergraduates (2011)</i> </td><td> $6,370**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Percent of Undergraduates with Needs Fully Met (2011)</i> </td><td> 21%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $25,667**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 5.4%*</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---StudentLifeAtBallStateUniversity"> Student Life at Ball State University</h2> <p>Ball State University provides more than 350 student groups, and the school competes in the NCAA Division I athletic conference. In addition, you can participate in Greek life by joining one of many sororities and fraternities. According to <i>U.S. News &amp; World Report</i>, 43% of students choose to live in one of 31 residence halls. The school also has university apartments for students who are interested in living off campus. To help freshmen make the adjustment to on-campus living, the school offers Freshman Connections, which is designed to help students get comfortable in their new surroundings. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Small city</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 22,147*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 44% male and 56% female*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 92%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 88%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of International Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 1%*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 79% for full-time students*</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes</td></tr> <tr><td><i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 43%**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 4***</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> 381**</td></tr> <tr><td><i>Noteworthy</i> </td><td> David Owsley Museum of Art</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *NCES College Navigator, **U.S. News &amp; World Report, ***Ball State University</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, Lucina Hall, Muncie, IN 47306 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> 765-285-8300</li></ul>