Business/Commerce at Ball State University

Ball State's business program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—40th percentile among Indiana schools and 44th nationally. Starting at $46,550, graduates earn slightly less than Indiana's median for business programs ($47,406), though they carry comparable debt at $25,000. This puts Ball State well behind powerhouse programs like Notre Dame and IU-Bloomington, but roughly on par with regional alternatives like IU-South Bend. The 18% earnings growth over four years is solid, pushing salaries to nearly $55,000, but this still means graduates start their careers earning less than peers at several in-state competitors.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is manageable—graduates owe about half their first year's salary, which most financial advisors would consider reasonable. With 72% of applicants admitted and over a third of students receiving Pell grants, Ball State serves a more economically diverse student body than elite alternatives, making it an accessible option for many Indiana families. The robust sample size confirms these figures reflect typical outcomes, not outliers.

For families weighing cost against outcome, Ball State offers a middle-ground choice: affordable debt levels but below-average starting salaries compared to other Indiana business programs. If your child has the credentials for IU-Bloomington or similar schools, those deliver significantly stronger returns. But if Ball State's admission profile fits and staying close to home matters, the financial burden remains modest even if the earnings aren't exceptional.