California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Murray State University 17:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($10,182 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 21.3% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($11,112 vs. $14,118).
• Murray State University is 20% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $1,650 more per year; $9,900.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Murray State University (about $1,014 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($14,178 vs. $10,748).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 20 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.