IU Northwest vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN 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 IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Murray State University 17:1.

IU Northwest vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than Murray State University ($5,745 vs. $10,182).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 1.3% lower than at Murray State University ($10,972 vs. $11,112).
• Murray State University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $1,476 more per year; $9,900.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at IU Northwest than at Murray State University (about $2,975 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 70.3% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($14,178 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming IU Northwest 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: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

IU Northwest vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $3,530 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,030).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 33%)

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.