Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
WKU Kentucky UT Martin NKU Austin Peay State University GS Memphis Georgia State University of West Georgia Middle Tennessee State University KSU VSU| Columbus State University | Murray State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
| Location | Columbus, GA | Murray, KY | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 7,479 | 9,479 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #995 | #669 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | columbusstate.edu | murraystate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,371 | $8,196 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,425 | $17,652 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,080 | $10,160 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $12,902 | $11,042 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,147 | $11,560 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,870 | 10,251 | ||
| Admitted | 3,398 | 8,609 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 87.8% | 84% | ||
| Enrolled % | 30.4% | 15.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.07 | 3.57 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/23 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 900/1130 | 965/1190 | ||
| 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 | Jun 30, 2025 |
Academics |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 31% | 52% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,400 | $40,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 37% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,000 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $268 | $222 |
Diversity |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 51% | 81% | ||
| % Black | 37% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 92% | 61% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 36% | ||
Campus |
Columbus State | Murray State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Murray State University is larger than than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (9,479 students vs. 7,479 students)
Columbus State vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Murray State University?
- Murray State University is 87.5% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $4,371.00)
- Out of state tuition is 14.4% higher at Murray State University than Columbus State University ($17,652.00 vs. $15,425.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than Columbus State ($11,042 vs. $12,902)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 18.9% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,160 vs. $12,080)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Columbus State University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 26.4% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($11,560 vs. $9,147)
Columbus State vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .
- The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 108 points higher than at Columbus State (961)
- Incoming Murray State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Columbus State (20)
- Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
- Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Murray State University (84%)
Columbus State vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.
- The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Columbus State University (52% vs. 31%)
- Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $37,400)
- Murray State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Columbus State graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
- Murray State University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Columbus State graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
- More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/