Head to head · Indiana
Purdue University-Main Campus costs less than Ball State University at every income band federal data covers — between $737 and $4,895 less per year, depending on what you earn.
| Household income | Ball State University | Purdue University | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $7,834 | $5,098 | $2,736 |
| $30–48k | $9,848 | $6,241 | $3,607 |
| $48–75k | $14,333 | $9,438 | $4,895 |
| $75–110k | $19,567 | $18,177 | $1,390 |
| Over $110k | $23,479 | $22,742 | $737 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
The brag sheet: what to hand a teacher before asking for a recommendation →
Should your student retake the SAT? The honest math →
Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed Ball State University first, then Purdue University. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again Ball State University first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
Ball State University — every income band · Purdue University-Main Campus — every income band · All Indiana public colleges