Established in 1899 as a private "normal school," the facility was turned over to the State of Indiana in 1918. In 1922, the Indiana legislature changed the school's name to Ball Teachers College. In 1965, the institution gained recognition as Ball State University. The campus is composed of 955 acres housing 63 major buildings. Current enrollment is approximately 18,000 graduate and undergraduate students specializing in 125 undergraduate programs, 76 master's programs and 19 doctoral programs.

BSU's Bracken Library is one of the largest libraries in Indiana housing 1.4 million items including books, periodicals, microforms, audiovisual materials, microcomputer software, government publications, maps, manuscripts, music scores, archival records, and electronic databases. Emens Auditorium offers a wide range of entertainment opportunities from touring Broadway spectaculars to top class student productions all free or at a greatly reduced price to students. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the BSU Museum of Art occupies over 16,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space. The collections include paintings from the American 19th and early 20th centuries, paintings from European 18th and 19th centuries, along with prints, drawings, Oriental and decorative arts.

BSU competes at the NCAA's highest level in 22 intercollegiate athletic sports, including basketball, football, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, swimming/diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and soccer. Admission to most athletic events including basketball and football is free to BSU students.