Ball State University Board of Trustees Highlight Fall 2025 Enrollment Gains, Muncie Community Schools Progress

Topics: Board of Trustees, Enrollment, Muncie, President, Teachers College

September 26, 2025

The Ball State University Board of Trustees on Friday received updates on Fall 2025 enrollment and the continued progress of its historic partnership with Muncie Community Schools (MCS).

Paula Luff, Ball State's vice president for enrollment planning and management, reported that Ball State welcomed 3,733 new freshmen this Fall. This is the third consecutive year in which the University has enrolled a freshman class larger than its pre-pandemic average.

The incoming class is academically strong, with an average high school GPA of 3.58. Nearly 46 percent of freshmen are Pell Grant-eligible and 29 percent are first-generation students, while 91 percent are Indiana residents.

Overall University enrollment this year is more than 20,200 students-an increase of about 1,400 students compared to three years ago. Graduate enrollment also remains strong, with approximately 5,800 students enrolled.

"Our steady enrollment numbers demonstrate the enduring value of a Ball State education," said Rick Hall, chair of Ball State's Board of Trustees. "Students and families continue to choose Ball State because of the high-quality academic programs, supportive community, and opportunities that prepare our graduates for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives."

The Board also heard from MCS leaders about continued progress in the district over the past year, including significant gains in literacy. On the state's IREAD-3 assessment, which measures third graders' reading proficiency, pass rates in the district increased to 79.2 percent-more than nine percentage points higher than last year and double the state's overall growth. Every MCS elementary school is now in the state's high-growth quadrant, and Grissom Elementary posted one of the largest improvements, rising from 46.6 percent passing in 2024 to 79 percent in 2025.

The district also reported its highest high school graduation rate since 2019-topping 90 percent. In addition, MCS has expanded Pre-K enrollment by more than 350 percent since 2018 and strengthened pathways for Muncie Central students to continue their education at Ball State.

"Muncie Community Schools continues to make steady progress for children and families in our community," said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. "That progress is the result of leadership from the MCS board and administration, the dedication of teachers and staff, and the commitment of students and their families. Our partnership shows what can be achieved when a public school corporation and a public university work together in pursuit of a shared mission."

Ball State assumed responsibility for Muncie Community Schools in 2018, when the Indiana General Assembly approved a new governance model to stabilize the district and set it on a path toward long-term success.

Since then, MCS has become one of the top-paying districts for teachers in the region, improved retention, and strengthened its financial position with a cash balance of more than $30 million. These steps, along with rising graduation rates and growth in early literacy, reflect the district's continued progress.