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The average acceptance rate at BSU over the past 10 years is 70.74%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 85.50%. Compared to the previous year, it became much easier to gain admission to BSU in 2025. The acceptance rate at BSU is relatively high, giving applicants a greater chance of admission.
The acceptance rate has increased each year for the past 3 years, indicating decreasing selectivity.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 22.68%, and the 2025 yield is 20.44%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 21.82% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of BSU applicants decreased by 26.42% (7,575 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 4.76% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 85.50%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that BSU is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 20.44%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at BSU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, BSU received approximately 21,093 applications, admitted 18,034 students, and enrolled 3,686 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing BSU's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
BSU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at BSU over the past decade show a pattern of decreasing selectivity, with the acceptance rate rising year-over-year for 3 consecutive years. The average acceptance rate over this period is 70.74%, while the most recent rate stands at 85.50%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 85.50%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 68.24% and for women is 72.17%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at BSU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 60.50% | 58.21% | 61.89% |
| 2016-17 | 62.25% 1.75% |
61.17% 2.96% |
62.91% 1.01% |
| 2017-18 | 62.08% -0.18% |
60.39% -0.78% |
63.04% 0.14% |
| 2018-19 | 64.78% 2.70% |
63.56% 3.17% |
65.47% 2.43% |
| 2019-20 | 76.71% 11.94% |
73.64% 10.08% |
78.34% 12.86% |
| 2020-21 | 87.05% 10.33% |
83.48% 9.85% |
88.92% 10.58% |
| 2021-22 | 68.00% -19.05% |
63.00% -20.49% |
71.00% -17.92% |
| 2022-23 | 68.95% 0.95% |
65.54% 2.55% |
70.80% -0.20% |
| 2023-24 | 71.60% 2.65% |
69.23% 3.69% |
73.05% 2.25% |
| 2024-25 | 85.50% 13.90% |
84.22% 14.99% |
86.27% 13.22% |
| Average | 70.74% | 68.24% | 72.17% |
BSU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 26.14% in 2015 to 20.44% in 2025, representing a 21.82% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 22.68%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at BSU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 21.82% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 26.14% | 27.91% | 25.13% |
| 2016-17 | 25.18% -0.97% |
27.33% -0.57% |
23.91% -1.22% |
| 2017-18 | 26.54% 1.36% |
28.65% 1.31% |
25.38% 1.47% |
| 2018-19 | 23.70% -2.83% |
26.92% -1.73% |
21.92% -3.45% |
| 2019-20 | 22.78% -0.93% |
26.10% -0.82% |
21.13% -0.79% |
| 2020-21 | 20.32% -2.46% |
22.53% -3.57% |
19.23% -1.90% |
| 2021-22 | 21.00% 0.68% |
25.00% 2.47% |
19.00% -0.23% |
| 2022-23 | 22.06% 1.06% |
24.91% -0.09% |
20.63% 1.63% |
| 2023-24 | 18.64% -3.42% |
19.63% -5.28% |
18.06% -2.56% |
| 2024-25 | 20.44% 1.80% |
20.75% 1.12% |
20.26% 2.19% |
| Average | 22.68% | 24.97% | 21.47% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 23,410, the average number of admitted is 16,471, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 3,695.
The number of BSU applicants decreased by 26.42% (7,575 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 4.76% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Ball State University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 22,147 | 13,399 | 3,503 |
| 2016-17 | 24,735 11.69% |
15,398 14.92% |
3,877 10.68% |
| 2017-18 | 24,191 -2.20% |
15,017 -2.47% |
3,985 2.79% |
| 2018-19 | 23,988 -0.84% |
15,539 3.48% |
3,683 -7.58% |
| 2019-20 | 23,305 -2.85% |
17,878 15.05% |
4,072 10.56% |
| 2020-21 | 20,167 -13.46% |
17,555 -1.81% |
3,567 -12.40% |
| 2021-22 | 22,947 13.78% |
15,604 -11.11% |
3,277 -8.13% |
| 2022-23 | 22,859 -0.38% |
15,761 1.01% |
3,477 6.10% |
| 2023-24 | 28,668 25.41% |
20,525 30.23% |
3,826 10.04% |
| 2024-25 | 21,093 -26.42% |
18,034 -12.14% |
3,686 -3.66% |
| Average | 23,410 | 16,471 | 3,695 |
The following table compares Ball State University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University | 71.60% | 85.50% | 19.41% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus | 84.99% | 84.76% | 0.27% |
| Western Michigan University | 84.60% | 84.68% | -0.09% |
| University at Buffalo | 74.18% | 69.30% | 7.04% |
| Miami University-Oxford | 75.40% | 82.09% | -8.15% |
| Central Michigan University | 89.82% | 91.01% | -1.31% |
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