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Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana

21,089 Students on Campus
Muncie Location
70,000 Metro Population
21,089 Students on Campus
Muncie Location
70,000 Metro Population

About This Campus

Public state university in Muncie, Indiana (we call it Funcie!). Named in recognition of the generosity of the Ball brothers, a prominent Muncie family (the Ball glass jars folks!), who donated the property to the state. Our central message: Spirited and motivated, we learn, grow, and with Beneficence as our guide—We Fly. Academically, what makes BSU distinctive is a very consistent focus on Immersive Learning-- high-impact experiences that involve collaborative student-driven teams, guided by faculty mentors.

Students earn credit for working with community partners to address challenges through the creation of a product that has a lasting impact. Immersive learning projects are housed in just about every academic discipline. We believe place matters, and that is particularly true on our beautiful, diverse, and inclusive campus. It also means that the relationship between BSU and the City of Muncie is very important-- we're about serving our neighbors and communities near and far.

David Letterman famously called BSU (his alma mater) 'The Harvard of Muncie'

Home of Jim Davis (creator of Garfield the Cat) & Bob Ross' The Joy of Painting

A beautiful and accessible campus (#1 for students with physical disabilies)

Helpful Information

BSU is the number 1 campus nationally for students with physical disabilities (College Magazine). Living-Learning Communities incorporate BSU's immersive learning approach into residence halls-- big population of students living on-campus. Food is good, dorms are nice, campus is lovely. BSU students might be described as down-to-earth, creative, warm.

Location Information

Muncie, Indiana is the heart of east-central Indiana. We're about an hour northeast of Indianapolis. Population 70,000ish, and we're the #1 most affordable college town (realtor.com). The famous "Middletown studies" from the 1920s were based in Muncie-- where Middletown was meant to suggest the average or typical American small city. While we might be about as typical-midwestern as they get, that does not mean Muncie is boring-- at all! This is a vibrant community with LOTS to do!

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/24/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/11/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/11/2027 - Spring End Date: 04/26/2027

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Dietetics, Interior design, Music, Theatre, Dance, Sports Media Production

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Elementary Education — As an elementary education major, you'll have multiple opportunities to work with children and teachers in local schools and community organizations. While gaining a foundation in a wide range of subjects, you'll also choose a specific area of emphasis through one of 12 concentration areas.
  • Entrepreneurship — Our undergraduate degree in entrepreneurship and innovation is one of the most challenging on campus and among the most rigorous entrepreneurship programs in the country. It was named the National Model Undergraduate Program at the 2013 U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) conference. Over the course of two years, you will develop a real-life business plan for a new venture and ultimately defend it in front of a panel of business professionals—all with your graduation on the line.
  • Health Professions & Sciences — The College of Health prepares students for fulfilling and extraordinary careers in healthcare. Through interprofessional education and practice — in our simulation, research, and skill labs — we provide a safe environment for our students to become leaders in collaborating across disciplines in patient-centered healthcare and social services. Ultimately, our graduates improve patients’ and families’ experiences to maximize outcomes, reduce health disparities within communities, increase provider well-being, and make healthcare affordable.
  • Media — Media majors learn to take their video, audio, and emerging media skills to the next level by developing, designing, and producing engaging content for diverse audiences. As a student, you’ll have access to real-world, resume-building opportunities, equipment, and facilities designed to enhance your portfolio and expand your post-graduation opportunities. Options include Sports production/ esports production
  • Theatre and Dance — The Department of Theatre and Dance is a nationally recognized program offering exceptional pre-professional training in a liberal arts setting. As a student, you’ll have opportunities to study abroad, take workshops with internationally renowned guest artists and industry professionals, and get involved in projects that have a real-world impact. Major options include Directing & Stage Management, Theatre Teaching, Theatre Creation, Design & Technology, Musical Theatre, Acting, Dance
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Aquatics — Established in 2002, the aquatics concentration was the first truly aquatic-specific program in the United States. Our well-rounded curriculum will prepare you for a diverse and satisfying career as an aquatic director, fitness trainer, coach, and many more opportunities.
  • Game Design and Development — As a computer science major with a concentration in game design and development, you will be part of an interdisciplinary program that helps you build all the skills you need to design and implement original video games. You will follow player-centered design processes for creating original interactive media while taking cross-disciplinary courses in 3D animation and digital audio manipulation.
  • Glass Art — As a glass artist, you will work with extreme heat and discipline-specific tools, perfecting your ability to guide and shape the semi-liquid molten glass as it cools and hardens, creating forms that embrace your personal vision and creativity.
  • Meteorology and Climatology — This program meets the American Meteorological Society (AMS) formal qualifications for the job title "meteorologist" and the Federal Civil Service requirements for employment by the National Weather Service.
  • Speech Pathology and Audiology — Help people to overcome speech, cognitive, hearing, and swallowing disorders through comprehensive exploration of human communication and its associated disorders. It encompasses the examination of congenital and acquired communication disorders that can impact individuals of all ages.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:
Limited Closed

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Summer Accepted with full-term
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)? Will accept on Home
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Home Pay
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 01/21/2026
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $4474
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $944
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Course Fees / Materials
$0
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

overload fee not applicable-- greater than 18 hours not permitted for incoming students. Some select courses or labs may have an associated fee, mostly ranging from $15 to $100.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 01/21/2026
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $5700
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Housing requires a housing tech fee -- $100 per semester 3 tiers of housing available on campus -- $3013, $2761, $2499 per semester depending on tier for standard double bed room with double occupancy

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $3300
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

21+ meal plan $3300 Also have 18, 14, 10 meal plan or Dining Cash only

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Direct Placement for Spring 2027

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

Direct placement is available for Spring 2027! Apply now and receive an immediate decision.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

Direct placement is available for Spring 2027! Apply now and receive an immediate decision.

Priority Placements for Academic Year 27/28

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: