Blackburn College vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL 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 Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Blackburn College vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn 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 Murray State University than Blackburn College ($10,182 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 10.8% lower than at Murray State University ($9,915 vs. $11,112).
• Blackburn College is 184.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $18,249 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at Blackburn College than at Murray State University (about $8,313 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Murray State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($19,456 vs. $14,178).

Blackburn College vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn 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 Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 50 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Blackburn College vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn 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).

• Murray State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates of Blackburn College and Murray State University have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,400), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($222 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.