Ball State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$43,032
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,394/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
337%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Ball State University is $10,758. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $42,646. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $44,394, and after ten years, it is $51,833. The median debt for graduates is $23,250, and 72.8% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Ball State graduates is approximately 0.54, calculated by dividing the median debt of $23,250 by the one-year median salary of $42,646. The break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the cost of tuition, is less than one year, based on the one-year median salary.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,758
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,394
Graduation Rate
64%
Receive Financial Aid
73%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching. | $43,032 | $62,055 | 1157% |
| Special Education and Teaching. | $43,032 | $61,638 | 1138% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $43,032 | $42,167 | 233% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | $43,032 | $40,496 | 155% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $43,032 | $40,405 | 151% |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $43,032 | $54,871 | 824% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $43,032 | $61,062 | 1111% |
| Biology, General. | $43,032 | $41,534 | 204% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $43,032 | $52,492 | 713% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $43,032 | $47,355 | 474% |
| Marketing. | $43,032 | $55,837 | 868% |
| Psychology, General. | $43,032 | $40,584 | 160% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.