CAU vs. Murray State University

Should I go to Clark Atlanta University or Murray State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CAU or Murray State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clark Atlanta University vs. Murray State University comparison
Clark Atlanta University Murray State University College 3 College 4
Clark Atlanta University Murray State University
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Overview

CAU Murray State University
Location Atlanta, GA Murray, KY
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 4,135 9,841
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #976 #704
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $23,484 $8,436
Tuition (Out of State) $23,484 $18,180
Room & Board $12,018 $10,594
Avg Net Price $29,736 $9,738
Avg Grant Aid $11,188 $12,939
% Receiving Grant Aid 78% 100%

Admission

CAU Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,672 11,038
Admitted 17,884 9,511
Acceptance Rate 64.6% 86.2%
Enrolled % 6% 17.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.57
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 19/26
SAT Range 880/1120 950/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2026

Academics

CAU Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

CAU Murray State University
Graduation Rate 41% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $222

Diversity

CAU Murray State University
% Men 4% 7%
% Women 11% 13%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 81%
% Black 84% 8%
% Hispanic 0% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 13% 2%

Students

CAU Murray State University
% In-State 27% 61%
% Out-of-State 72% 38%

Campus

CAU Murray State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Murray State University is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (9,841 students vs. 4,135 students)

CAU vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Murray State University?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 178.4% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($23,484.00 vs. $8,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.2% higher at CAU than Murray State University ($23,484.00 vs. $18,180.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than CAU ($9,738 vs. $29,736)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 13.4% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($10,594 vs. $12,018)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 15.7% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($12,939 vs. $11,188)

CAU vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU or Murray State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Murray State University or CAU .

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 219 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than CAU (64.6%)

CAU vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or Murray State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Murray State University and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Clark Atlanta University (52% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $2,000 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $38,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($222 vs. $320)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/