Ball State University · Indiana
Ball State Merit Aid
Verified Jun 20262 months ago· HX-AUTO
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Last verifiedJun 2026Analyst HX-AUTO
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The merit-aid verdict at Ball State
Ball State rewards driven students with honors-focused aid for international study, research, and creative work.
Who this school is for
High-achieving students interested in the Honors College, study abroad, or hands-on research and creative projects will find the most opportunities here.
Tuition / cost of attendance: Approximately $27,658 for 2026-2027. Source
Federal cost and outcome data
Federal reporting on who actually enrolls at Ball State, what they paid after aid, and what happened next — independent of anything the school markets.
| Family income | Average net price paid |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $7,834 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,848 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,333 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,567 |
| $110,001+ | $23,479 |
| All income levels (average) | $14,940 |
Sticker price vs. what students actually pay
- Published tuition & fees (in-state), AY 2022-23
- $11,082
- Published tuition & fees (out-of-state), AY 2022-23
- $29,630
- Average net price paid (all Title-IV aid), AY 2021-22
- $14,940
That works out to roughly a 43% discount below the federal AY 2021-22 average cost of attendance of $26,146 (College Scorecard — a separate, federally reported figure, not the published cost of attendance shown above).
Ball State is a public school; Scorecard's net price figure covers in-state, Title-IV-aid-recipient payers only — there is no comparable federal figure for out-of-state students.
Outcomes for students who enrolled here
- Graduation rate (150% of normal time), 2016 cohort
- 62%
- First-year retention rate, 2021 cohort
- 78%
- Median debt at completion, 2020–2021 completers
- $23,250 (~$246/mo on a 10-yr plan)
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry (measured 2020-21)
- $51,833
- Share of students receiving a Pell grant, AY 2021-22
- 42%
- Share of students receiving a federal loan, AY 2021-22
- 52%
Lesser-known scholarships at Ball State
Named awards that don’t always surface on the main financial aid page. Each one has its own eligibility rules.
AmountAmount not publishedEligibilityThe Walters Scholarship supports a new Honors College student who demonstrates strong academic potential.
AmountFull tuitionEligibilityThe Strong Scholarship provides in-state tuition for a new Honors College student from Indiana pursuing a major in nursing, business, architecture, or music.
Amount$1,080EligibilityHonors Undergraduate Fellowships pay Honors College students for 150 hours of work for each semester of their fellowship, currently $1,080 per semester.
Amount$2,800EligibilityThe Trimmer Scholarship provides $2,800 per year to an Honors College student entering the sophomore year and pursuing a major in the arts or humanities, and is renewable with conditions for a total of three years.
AmountAmount not publishedEligibilityThe Ho Scholarship supports an outstanding new freshman or transfer Honors College student.
Amount$2,000EligibilityThe Rinker Scholarship provides a $2,000 award for new Honors College students who participate in a study abroad program.
AmountFull tuitionEligibilityThe Wehman Scholarship supplements Ball State’s Presidential Scholarship to provide full in-state tuition for a new Honors College student.
AmountAmount not publishedEligibilitySeveral Ruebel Fellowships are awarded annually to Honors College students who are poised to make an impact in an international setting, a local community, or both.
AmountFull tuitionEligibilityThe Whitinger Scholarship provides full tuition and required fees plus on-campus room and board for eight new Honors College students of exceptional potential each year.
Amount$3,000EligibilityThe Edmonds Scholarship provides $3,000 in financial assistance each biennium for an Honors College student preparing to study abroad.
AmountAmount not publishedEligibilityTroyer Scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding undergraduate anthropology majors entering their senior year who complete required coursework and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
Amount$3,000EligibilityThe Lawhead Award provides an Honors College student pursuing a career in education with $3,000 during the third year of study toward an enhanced learning experience.
AmountAmount not publishedEligibilityThe Saxman Grants support and assist Honors College students with opportunities for meaningful research and scholarly activities as undergraduates.
Amount$1,000+EligibilityTwo Joe and Carol Trimmer awards of at least $1,000 each are presented each May to the most outstanding Honors College theses of the academic year.
Amount$1,000EligibilityThe Dr. Stephen Johnson and Joseph Tamney Scholarship is a $1,000 departmental scholarship for junior or senior sociology majors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
AmountUp to $500EligibilityThe Troyer Grant provides up to $500 per semester to qualifying anthropology students for professional development expenses related to research and presentations at conferences.
Amount$1,000EligibilityThe Gordon Scholarship is a $1,000 departmental scholarship for sophomores, juniors, or seniors graduating the following fall or later; grades are not an eligibility or consideration criterion, and community service work or interest in disadvantaged populations is weighed favorably.
AmountPercentage of tuition (see source)EligibilityThe Anderson Scholarship provides approximately half in-state tuition and required fees for a new Honors College student pursuing a major in history or a teaching major with a primary concentration in U.S. history.
AmountAmount not publishedEligibilityThe Honors College supports conference expenses for about 10 accepted and participating students for each MEHA or NCHC conference each year.
Sources used on this page
Every claim is checked against Ball State’s own published materials. Below is the full reference set.
- coaBall State cost-of-attendance worksheet
- scholarshipNole L And Rosalyn M Walters Scholarship
- scholarshipTroyer Scholarship
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