Indiana University-Bloomington vs Ball State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Indiana University-Bloomington holds a 30-point ROI advantage over Ball State University, scoring 84/100 versus 54/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Ball State University comes in at $14,940 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington - a difference of $1,324 annually, or roughly $5,296 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Indiana University-Bloomington graduates earn a median of $63,742 compared to $51,833 at Ball State University. The payback period is 7.1 years at Indiana University-Bloomington versus 11.9 years at Ball State University.
Graduates leave Indiana University-Bloomington with a median $19,509 in debt versus $23,250 at Ball State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.66 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Indiana University-Bloomi... | Ball State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,144 | $11,082 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,891 | $29,630 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,264 | $14,940 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $65,056 | $59,760 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $44,200 | $35,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,742 | $51,833 |
| Graduation Rate | 80.2% | 62.3% |
| Payback Period | 7.1 yr | 11.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,509 | $23,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $246 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.66 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.1% | 74.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.7% | 68.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.2% | 85.5% |
| Enrollment | 37,806 | 13,988 |
| SAT Range | 1170-1400 | 1080-1260 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Indiana University-B... | Ball State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $6,324 | $7,834 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,610 | $9,848 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,154 | $14,333 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,204 | $19,567 |
| $110,001+ | $25,128 | $23,479 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Indiana University-B... | Ball State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $105,583 | $67,141 |
| Economics | $99,653 | $56,782 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,539 | $79,620 |
| Registered Nursing | $81,781 | $76,161 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $77,520 | $52,542 |
| International Relations | $69,992 | $58,953 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $68,675 | $55,053 |
| Public Health | $68,038 | $52,202 |
| Biology | $65,224 | $55,097 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,855 | $51,186 |
| Chemistry | $61,024 | $63,764 |
| Romance Languages | $61,757 | $51,294 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $60,199 | $61,677 |
| Journalism | $59,151 | $49,456 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $58,390 | $50,260 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Indiana University-B... | Ball State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 86 | 63 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 82 | 50 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 38 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 90 | 64 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 77 | 52 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 54 |
The Verdict
Indiana University-Bloomington significantly outperforms Ball State University on financial ROI (84 vs 54). The 30-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Ball State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Indiana University-Bloomington.
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Indiana University-Bloomington
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Ball State University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.