Berea College vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Berea College in Berea, KY with Murray State University in Murray, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than Berea College based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Berea College vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College or Murray State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Berea College than Murray State University ($5,888 vs. $10,182).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 26.1% lower than at Murray State University ($8,208 vs. $11,112).
• Berea College is 421.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $41,758 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.4% higher at Berea College than at Murray State University (about $31,822 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Berea College as at Murray State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 286.7% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($54,830 vs. $14,178).

Berea College vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College or Murray State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Murray State University and Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 190 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Berea College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Murray State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Murray State University (3.57).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Berea College vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College and Murray State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $15,700 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($5,800 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($59 vs. $222).
• More Berea College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.