Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana, USA. Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans more than one thousand acres (4 km²). The student body consists of more than 20,000 students, of which over 18,000 are undergraduate students and over 1,500 are graduate students. Famous alumni include David Letterman, Joyce DeWitt, Garfield creator Jim Davis and the founder of Papa John's, John Schnatter.

The area of Muncie, Indiana that is now known as Ball State University had its start in 1899 as a private school called the Eastern Indiana Normal School to educate teachers. The entire school, including classrooms, library and the president's residence were housed in what is now known as the Ball State Administration building. Ball State has grown and expanded over the years and is recognized today for its programs in architecture, exercise science, teaching, anthropology, entrepreneurship, and communications. Ball State is identified by the Carnegie Classification as a high research university.