Respected organizations have repeatedly been impressed by our academic programs, our supportive environment, our cutting-edge facilities and technology, our investment in emerging media, and our commitment to sustainability. Here is a sample:

  • Ranked No. 1 in Indiana (53rd nationally) on U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 “Top Performers on Social Mobility,” a list of institutions that advance social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students. Ball State also was included on the lists of the top 100 public universities, best undergraduate teaching, and best first-year experiences.
  • Listed among “Colleges Where Applications Are on Rise” by 24/7 Wall St. in 2018. In an analysis of 600 institutions, Ball State was No. 34, with applications up almost 73 percent in five years.
  • Named one of the best universities in the Midwest by The Princeton Review for 15 years.
  • Designated a doctoral university: higher research activity by The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  • Among the top 7 percent of universities worldwide in 2019-2020, according to the Center for World University Rankings.
  • Carnegie FoundationEarned the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The classification recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an institution-wide commitment to public service, civic involvement, and community partnerships.
  • Received a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity in 2016, 2017, and 2018. This honor is for exemplary initiatives focusing on all aspects of diversity and inclusion, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community.
  • Named No. 1 in the country in College Magazine's "Top 10 Campuses for Students with Physical Disabilities."
  • Ranked in the top 20 in the country for two graduate programs in U.S. News & World Report's 2019 “Best Online Programs”: MBA and nursing were 13th. Education was 38th. U.S. News also ranked our online bachelor’s programs 25th.
  • Recognized as the first higher education institution in the country to earn Quality Matters’ Learner Support Program Certification. Quality Matters, known as QM, provides a nationally recognized standard of best practices for online and blended learning.
  • Ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 “Best Online Programs for Veterans” at No. 12 in graduate education and No. 20 in bachelor’s programs.
  • Named a Military Friendly School for 10 years by veteran-owned Viqtory. In 2019, Viqtory also ranked our online programs seventh in the country.

  • Located in Muncie, Indiana, which 24/7 Wall St. listed among its “30 Best College Towns in America” in 2019.

Our academic programs have gotten noticed, too. Check out the recognitions and points of distinction for: