IU School of Medicine–Muncie is located adjacent to Ball State University. With more than 20,000 students, Ball State University offers access to many cultural and educational opportunities such as theatre, music, great recreational facilities, one of the largest planetariums in the Midwest, and Division I sports. Housing is affordable, and nearby schools are excellent.
In short, Muncie offers all the benefits of traditional campus life in a small town with a large reputable teaching hospital—all within about an hour’s drive to the bigger-city amenities in Indianapolis. Once the subject of sociological studies on the industrial era’s effect on values, morals and family, Muncie continues to be a good place to live and raise a family. Cost of living remains low, and quality of life is high.
Medical students in Muncie can obtain a Ball State University ID, which allows students to check out books from Bracken Library (on the Ball State campus), attend free and discounted entertainment events at Emens Auditorium, free entrance to all home athletics events, and access to recreational services at the SRWC Fitness Center, Ball Gym, Lewellen Aquatic Center and Ball Pool. Showing this ID can also qualify medical students for discounts at many Muncie area merchants.
History and Culture
Cultural and historical attractions include Emens Auditorium, which features world-class theatre, opera and dance, and Muncie’s own Symphony orchestra. Visitors can enjoy the Minnetrista Cultural Center and Oakhurst Gardens to experience the rich history of East Central Indiana. Muncie is also home to the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the National Model Aviation Museum.
Sports
Sports enthusiasts can find many opportunities to cheer here too. Ball State University competes at the NCAA’s highest level in 22 intercollegiate athletic sports, including basketball, football, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, swimming/diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and soccer. Professional sports teams in Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are about an hour away.
Recreation
Ball State has several recreation facilities to choose from, with the most popular being the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC). The center is a 200,000 square foot, multi-level facility that offers fitness machines, weights, basketball and volleyball courts, a suspended track, and a 35-foot climbing wall. The center is also connected to a complex of facilities, including Ball Gymnasium which includes a fitness room with machines and weights, an elevated running course, dance studios, and a six-lane, 25-yard swimming pool.
Muncie is also home to a portion of Cardinal Greenway, the longest rail trail in Indiana. More than 50 miles of the shared use trail run through the Muncie city limits, in a northwest to southeast direction to Richmond, Indiana. Several trailheads are located along this section. The main trailhead is located near downtown Muncie, at the Wysor Street Depot. Parking, restrooms and water fountains are available this trailhead.
For those who enjoy leisurely walks, Ball State offers five different one-mile Tree Trail walks on campus. Trees are marked along the route. In addition, the community offers playgrounds, picnic areas, baseball diamonds, basketball and tennis courts, and swimming pools. Numerous hiking, biking and nature trails are nearby, and the local reservoir supports boating and fishing. Public and private golf courses are also available in the area.
Find more information about Muncie and the surrounding region at the Muncie and Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and the Muncie Visitor Bureau.