Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at BSU

-4.76%

Applicants - since 2015

25.00%

Acceptance Rate

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.

Key Takeaways: BSU Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

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.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

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.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

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.

Acceptance Rate Changes

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).

YearTotalMenWomen
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%
Ball State University Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

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.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 26.14% 27.91% 25.13%
2016-17 25.18%
-0.97%
27.34%
-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%
2.48%
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%
Ball State University enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

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.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
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
Ball State University - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Ball State University' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Ball State University71.60%85.50%19.41%
University of Toledo92.02%94.83%-2.96%
Ohio University-Main Campus84.99%84.76%0.27%
Miami University-Oxford75.40%82.09%-8.15%
Kent State University at Kent86.34%86.65%-0.36%
Western Michigan University84.60%84.68%-0.09%

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