Muncie, IN · Private University
Is Ball State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$51,833
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,758
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,766
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$115,064
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.80x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,898
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Ball State University graduates earn $6,833 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Ball State University ranked by graduate earnings
33 graduates
44 graduates
54 graduates
45 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Ball State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Ball State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods: $80,507) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $26,777) is $53,730/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBest ROI | $80,507 | 2.8x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $69,393 | 2.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $69,101 | 2.4x |
| Construction Management(1yr data) | $69,076 | 2.4x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations(1yr data) | $65,184 | 2.3x |
| Landscape Architecture | $64,800 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,069 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,243 | 2.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,062 | 2.1x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $59,740 | 2.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,631 | 2.1x |
| Real Estate(1yr data) | $58,575 | 2.0x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $56,782 | 2.0x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $56,336 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $55,837 | 1.9x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $54,871 | 1.9x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $54,858 | 1.9x |
| Architecture | $54,007 | 1.9x |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | $53,981 | 1.9x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,378 | 1.8x |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $51,219 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $50,870 | 1.8x |
| Geography and Cartography | $49,490 | 1.7x |
| Insurance(1yr data) | $48,615 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $47,535 | 1.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,500 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,355 | 1.6x |
| Journalism | $47,164 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,100 | 1.6x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,379 | 1.6x |
| Chemistry | $42,387 | 1.5x |
| Social Work | $42,239 | 1.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,167 | 1.5x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $41,603 | 1.4x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $41,567 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $41,534 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,500 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $40,584 | 1.4x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,496 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,405 | 1.4x |
| History | $40,023 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $38,880 | 1.4x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $38,527 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,579 | 1.3x |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology(1yr data) | $36,920 | 1.3x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $36,864 | 1.3x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(1yr data) | $35,904 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $34,792 | 1.2x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $32,836 | 1.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,586 | 1.1x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $28,838 | 1.0x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management(1yr data) | $28,071 | 1.0x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $26,777 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Ball State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,833 10 years after starting — $6,833 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.