ISU vs. Murray State University

Should I go to Illinois State University or Murray State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Northern Illinois Illinois WKU UIC DePaul EIU IWU Western Illinois University WMU Bradley Southern Illinois University IIT
Illinois State University vs. Murray State University comparison
Illinois State University Murray State University College 3 College 4
Illinois State University Murray State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

ISU Murray State University
Location Normal, IL Murray, KY
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 20,683 9,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #493 #669
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website illinoisstate.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $11,840 $8,196
Tuition (Out of State) $23,681 $17,652
Room & Board $10,602 $10,160
Avg Net Price $20,551 $11,042
Avg Grant Aid $11,619 $11,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

ISU Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,596 10,251
Admitted 16,899 8,609
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 84%
Enrolled % 23.6% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/26
SAT Range 1000/1210 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 Apr 1, 2025

Academics

ISU Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

ISU Murray State University
Graduation Rate 71% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $227 $222

Diversity

ISU Murray State University
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 77% 81%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 9% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 0% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

ISU Murray State University
% In-State 96% 61%
% Out-of-State 3% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Illinois State University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (20,683 students vs. 9,479 students)

ISU vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Illinois State University is 44.5% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($11,840.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.2% higher at ISU than Murray State University ($23,681.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than ISU ($11,042 vs. $20,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 4.4% lower than costs at Illinois State University ($10,160 vs. $10,602)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Illinois State University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois State University students is 0.5% larger than aid received Murray State University ($11,619 vs. $11,560)

ISU vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU .

  • The average SAT score at Illinois State University (1090) is 21 points higher than at Murray State University (1069)
  • Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Murray State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at ISU (3.41)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Murray State University (84%)

ISU vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU 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 ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than Murray State University (71% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from Illinois State University earn on average $8,600 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,000)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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