Illinois College vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois College in Jacksonville, 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 Illinois College based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, IL (Distant Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Illinois College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois College 12:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Illinois College vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Illinois College ($10,182 vs. $17,375).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 7.6% lower than at Illinois College ($11,112 vs. $12,026).
• Illinois College is 290.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $28,776 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95% higher at Illinois College than at Murray State University (about $18,840 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at Murray State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 122.9% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($31,609 vs. $14,178).

Illinois College vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 30 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming Illinois College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Murray State University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Murray State University (3.57).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Illinois College vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• Illinois College's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Murray State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Illinois College earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Illinois College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Illinois College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.