Key differences on Cost & aid
- 1
Ball State's grants cover 36% of its full price on average, vs. 23% at Western Carolina
Aid generosity - 2
Western Carolina costs about $1.9K less per year on average than Ball State ($16,328 vs. $18,194, all students)
Average cost, all students
Cost & aid
Cost & aid
Average cost, aid generosity, net price by family income, sticker prices, and grants.
What students pay
Grants
Sticker prices
On one scale, so the bars read against each other.
Up to $110K: the average net price per year for students receiving federal aid, 2023–24; families who didn't file the FAFSA aren't included. Above it the published data end. For your own number, use the college's net price calculator .
Family income per year $150K
- Ball StateLittle need-based aid above $110K
- Western CarolinaLittle need-based aid above $110K
Merit possible; averaging $3K
Published (federal figure, up to $110K) EstimateBars share one scale: the largest full price.
Where need-based aid ends, merit, and published promises
| Metric | Ball State | Western Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based aid up to | Little need-based aid above $110K | Little need-based aid above $110K |
| Merit for students without need | – | 21% got merit aid, averaging $3K |
| Published promise | – | – |
A college's own promise is stated for a typical family and changes yearly; where a promise and our estimate disagree, the promise wins. Merit has no income limit, so it can lower the price above the point where need-based aid ends.
Tuition guarantee & Promise program
| Metric | Ball State | Western Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition guarantee | No | No |
| Promise program | Yes | Yes |
From the colleges' Common Data Sets
| Metric | Ball State | Western Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Aid forms | – | FAFSA · College's own form |
| Aid priority date or deadline | – | March 1 (priority) |
| Need met, first-years | – | 64% |
| Average aid package, first-years | – | $10,211 |
| College grant dollars given as merit | – | 50% |
| Aid for international students | – | Offered |
Sources:IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey, 2023–24;College Scorecard, 2023–24;College Scorecard, most recent release;Common Data Set, most recent release;Western Carolina University Common Data Set 2024–25, Fall 2025 entrants;Western Carolina University Common Data Set 2024–25, 2023–24;Western Carolina University Common Data Set 2024–25, 2024–25About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why