Head-to-head comparison
Ball State University vs University of Evansville: which has better ROI?
Option A Muncie, IN
Ball State University
- Net price / year
- $14,940
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,833
- Payback
- 17.2 yrs
Option B Evansville, IN
University of Evansville
- Net price / year
- $18,499
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,770
- Payback
- 13.7 yrs
University of Evansville has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,996 in 13.7 years versus 17.2 years at Ball State University, on median earnings of $53,770 vs $51,833 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ball State University | University of Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,940 | $18,499 |
| Total net cost | $59,760 | $73,996 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,833 | $53,770 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $24,606 |
| Payback | 17.2 yrs | 13.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $9,700 | $34,204 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Ball State University or University of Evansville?
Ball State University, at $14,940 a year after aid versus $18,499 — a gap of $3,559 a year, or $14,236 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Ball State University or University of Evansville graduates earn more?
University of Evansville graduates report a median $53,770 ten years after entry, $1,937 more than the $51,833 at Ball State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Ball State University or University of Evansville?
Ball State University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $24,606 at University of Evansville, a difference of $1,356. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at University of Evansville, against 62% at Ball State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.