Howard Payne University vs. McMurry University

Should I go to Howard Payne University or McMurry University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Howard Payne University or McMurry 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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Howard Payne University vs. McMurry University comparison
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Howard Payne University McMurry University
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Overview

Howard Payne University McMurry University
Location Brownwood, TX Abilene, TX
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 838 1,237
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #734
Religious Affiliation Baptist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hputx.edu mcm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Howard Payne University McMurry University
Tuition (In State) $27,850 $29,972
Tuition (Out of State) $27,850 $29,972
Room & Board $9,616 $9,250
Avg Net Price $24,117 $18,757
Avg Grant Aid $18,817 $23,537
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 100%

Admission

Howard Payne University McMurry University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,233 2,345
Admitted 768 1,325
Acceptance Rate 62.3% 56.5%
Enrolled % 28.1% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 19/22 20/25
SAT Range 920/1130 1040/1230
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Howard Payne University McMurry University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Howard Payne University McMurry University
Graduation Rate 46% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $43,700
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,686 $26,824
Median Loan Payment $265 $277

Diversity

Howard Payne University McMurry University
% Men 55% 53%
% Women 45% 47%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 61% 52%
% Black 9% 18%
% Hispanic 22% 25%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Howard Payne University McMurry University
% In-State 98% 96%
% Out-of-State 2% 3%

Campus

Howard Payne University McMurry University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • McMurry University is larger than than Howard Payne University based on total student enrollment (1,237 students vs. 838 students)

Howard Payne University vs. McMurry University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard Payne University or McMurry University?

  • McMurry University is 7.6% more expensive to attend than Howard Payne University for in-state tuition ($29,972.00 vs. $27,850.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 7.6% higher at McMurry University than Howard Payne University ($29,972.00 vs. $27,850.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McMurry University than Howard Payne University ($18,757 vs. $24,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McMurry University are 4% lower than costs at Howard Payne University ($9,250 vs. $9,616)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McMurry University than Howard Payne University (100% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McMurry University students is 25.1% larger than aid received Howard Payne University ($23,537 vs. $18,817)

Howard Payne University vs. McMurry University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Howard Payne University (965) is 78 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
  • Incoming Howard Payne University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McMurry University (19)
  • Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Howard Payne University (3.3)
  • Howard Payne University has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than McMurry University (56.5%)

Howard Payne University vs. McMurry University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Howard Payne University or McMurry 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 McMurry University and Howard Payne University.

  • The graduation rate at Howard Payne University is higher than McMurry University (46% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from McMurry University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Howard Payne University graduates after ten years. ($43,700 vs. $40,300)
  • Howard Payne University students graduate with a $1,138 lower median federal student loan debt than McMurry University graduates. ($25,686 vs. $26,824)
  • Howard Payne University graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than McMurry University graduates. ($265 vs. $277)
  • More Howard Payne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McMurry University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 53%)

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