Marian University vs Ball State

Marian University and Ball State University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Indiana, offer distinct educational experiences. Marian University, a private Catholic university, boasts a smaller student body and a more intimate learning environment, with an acceptance rate of 85%. Ball State University, a public research university, offers a wider range of academic programs and a larger, more diverse student body, with an acceptance rate of 80%. While both universities offer strong programs in business, education, and nursing, Marian University is known for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, while Ball State University excels in the performing arts and architecture. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about the differences in tuition, graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Ball State University	Marian University
Overview
Location	Muncie, Indiana	Indianapolis, Indiana
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	73.0%	78.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation		Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	68.2%	73.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1010 - 1210	N/A
ACT range	20 - 27	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	42.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%
Total number of applicants	22,947	3,151
Total number of admissions given out	15,642	2,303
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,278	574
Yield rate	21.0%	24.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $25,254 Out of state: $42,488	$50,779
Average net price	$12,968	$21,936
Tuition	In state: $9,628 Out of state: $26,862	$36,600
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,862 Meal plan: $6,282	$11,660
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	86.0% Average amount $11,442	99.0% Average amount $28,235
Students receiving federal student loan	88.0% Average amount $5,451	67.0% Average amount $5,337
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $13,381	7.0% Average amount $13,006

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,898 Men 38.7% Women 61.3%	2,980 Men 35.2% Women 64.8%
Graduate students	5,421 Men 23.0% Women 77.0%	1,091 Men 40.2% Women 59.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	9.4%	N/A
International students	1.4%	1.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,531	1,233
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Indiana Illinois Ohio Michigan Florida	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Business Liberal Arts Psychology	Health Professions Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.0%	64.5%
Dropout rate	11.4%	10.2%
Transferred out	20.1%	25.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,451 Year 2: $92,124 Year 3: $94,146 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,551 Year 2: $75,989 Year 3: $81,236 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,545 Year 2: $63,997 Year 3: $77,057 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,885 Year 2: $65,610 Year 3: $75,003 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,368 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $65,967 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,067 Year 2: $53,775 Year 3: $64,046 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,195 Year 2: $54,296 Year 3: $63,441 Business/Commerce, General (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $62,410 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,157 Year 2: $56,776 Year 3: $60,714 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,299 Year 2: $52,357 Year 3: $59,898	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,291 Year 2: $58,464 Year 3: $60,651 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,671 Year 2: $45,383 Year 3: $49,098 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,429 Year 2: $44,590 Year 3: $48,733 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,127 Year 2: $47,595 Year 3: $48,155 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,582 Year 2: $37,808 Year 3: $37,731 Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,387 Year 2: $25,967 Year 3: $30,240 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,578 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,788 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $25,579 Year 2: $27,439 Year 3: N/A Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $55,508 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Marian University and Ball State University?

Marian University is a private, Catholic university known for its strong liberal arts foundation and emphasis on service learning. It has a smaller, more intimate campus environment. Ball State University, on the other hand, is a large, public university with a broader range of academic programs and a more diverse student body. It's known for its strong programs in education, architecture, and communications.
How do the campus sizes compare?

Marian University has a significantly smaller campus, fostering a close-knit community feel. Ball State University boasts a much larger campus with more extensive facilities and resources, offering a wider range of activities and opportunities.
What is the student-faculty ratio at each university?

Marian University typically has a lower student-faculty ratio, allowing for more personalized attention from professors. Ball State University has a higher student-faculty ratio, which is common for larger public universities, but still provides ample opportunities for student-faculty interaction.
What types of academic programs are each university known for?

Marian University is well-regarded for its programs in nursing, education, business, and its strong liberal arts core. Ball State University is recognized for its programs in education, architecture, telecommunications, and performing arts.
What is the cost of attendance at Marian University versus Ball State University?

Marian University, as a private institution, generally has a higher tuition cost than Ball State University, which is a public university. However, financial aid packages can vary significantly, so it's important to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at both institutions based on your individual circumstances.
What is the campus culture like at each university?

Marian University fosters a close-knit, faith-based community with a strong emphasis on service and ethical leadership. Ball State University offers a more diverse and vibrant campus culture with a wide range of student organizations, activities, and events catering to various interests.
What are the admission requirements for Marian University and Ball State University?

Both universities require a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and a completed application. Marian University may place more emphasis on essays and letters of recommendation, while Ball State University may have specific GPA or test score requirements for certain programs. Check each university's admissions website for the most up-to-date requirements.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available at each university?

Both Marian University and Ball State University offer a variety of financial aid options, including federal grants, state grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans. Marian University may offer more merit-based scholarships due to its smaller size and endowment, while Ball State University may have more need-based aid available due to its public funding. It's best to explore the financial aid websites of both universities to see what you qualify for.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each university?

Both Marian University and Ball State University offer career services to help students with resume writing, interview skills, and job searching. Ball State University, with its larger size and broader network, may have a wider range of internship opportunities available. Marian University leverages its connections within the Indianapolis community to provide students with valuable internship experiences.
What are the athletic programs like at Marian University and Ball State University?

Marian University competes in the NAIA and has a strong athletic program, particularly in cycling and football. Ball State University competes in NCAA Division I (Mid-American Conference) and offers a wider range of varsity sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball.
Where are Marian University and Ball State University located?

Marian University is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, offering students access to a major metropolitan area with numerous cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, a smaller city that provides a more traditional college town experience.
What are the housing options like at each university?

Both Marian University and Ball State University offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and suite-style living. Ball State University, with its larger student population, has a greater number of residence halls and housing options available. Marian University's smaller size allows for a more intimate residential community.

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