Ball State University Acceptance Rate
Muncie, Indiana · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 28,668
- Admitted
- 20,525
- Yield
- 18.6%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Ball State University's acceptance rate has risen from 59.9% in 2014–15 to 71.6% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 18,107 to 28,668 (+58%) over that period.
Its 71.6% rate makes Ball State University more selective than about 59% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 40 tracked Indiana schools, it is more selective than about 70%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (73.1% for women vs 69.2% for men, a 3.9-point gap). Ball State University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 18.6% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 18,107 | 10,842 | 59.9% | 3,597 |
| 2015–16 | 22,147 | 13,399 | 60.5% | 3,503 |
| 2016–17 | 24,735 | 15,398 | 62.3% | 3,877 |
| 2017–18 | 24,191 | 15,017 | 62.1% | 3,985 |
| 2018–19 | 23,988 | 15,539 | 64.8% | 3,683 |
| 2019–20 | 23,305 | 17,878 | 76.7% | 4,072 |
| 2020–21 | 20,167 | 17,555 | 87% | 3,567 |
| 2021–22 | 22,947 | 15,642 | 68.2% | 3,278 |
| 2022–23 | 22,859 | 15,761 | 68.9% | 3,477 |
| 2023–24 | 28,668 | 20,525 | 71.6% | 3,826 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 17,739 | 12,959 | 73.1% |
| Men | 10,929 | 7,566 | 69.2% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 550–630 | 32% |
| SAT Math | 530–620 | |
| ACT Composite | 25–30 | 3% |
How Ball State University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Ball State University's acceptance rate?
Ball State University's acceptance rate is 71.6% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (20,525 admitted of 28,668 applicants).
Is Ball State University test optional?
Ball State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Ball State University?
Ball State University received 28,668 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 20,525.
What SAT score do you need for Ball State University?
Admitted students at Ball State University typically scored 550–630 on SAT Reading/Writing and 530–620 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Ball State University getting harder to get into?
Ball State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 59.9% in 2014–15 to 71.6% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.bsu.edu/.