Ball State University's 731-acre campus in Muncie was founded in 1918 when the five Ball brothers - the family behind Ball Mason jars - purchased and donated the site, with first-year students housed in halls including Elliott, Botsford/Swinford, and Woodworth.
Enrollment
20,440
Total Students
Freshman Class
3,719
Approx.
Move-In Dates
August 22 - August 22, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
69%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Dates
Check the move-in schedule on Ball State's own Housing & Residence Life website, which is based on your housing plan type and the alphabetical position of your last name. Bring your own cart if possible, since campus-provided carts may run out. This specific date should be confirmed directly with Ball State closer to move-in, given genuine uncertainty in the sources available at the time of research.
August 22 - August 22, 2026
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned window - early arrivals often just wait longer.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck; loading-zone carts run out fast.
- Parking near freshman halls fills up quickly - have a backup plan or drop-off spot.
- Loading zones usually enforce a strict time limit (often 30 minutes) before you're expected to move your car to long-term parking.
- Activate your student ID online before you arrive - many schools require it for building and elevator access from day one.
- If you want your bed lofted or the frame height adjusted, check whether your school needs that request submitted online in advance - most won't do it on the spot.
- Check your school's specific package-acceptance window before shipping anything ahead - most won't hold early deliveries outside a set date range.
- Unpack essentials first: bedding, toiletries, and chargers, before anything else.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Elliott Hall
Traditional ยท Coed
- Photo coming soon
Botsford/Swinford Hall
Suite-style ยท Coed
- Photo coming soon
Woodworth Complex
Traditional ยท Coed
Housing Links
Links open Ball State University's website - not always the exact page, but a real starting point.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 1 - August 21, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$11,000
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Ball State University.
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