KY State vs. Marshall University

Deciding between Kentucky State University and Marshall University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Kentucky State University
Marshall University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • KY State Frankfort, KY
  • Marshall University Huntington, WV
  • Setting
  • KY State Distant Town
  • Marshall University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • KY State 2,020
  • Marshall University 11,958
  • Type
  • KY State Public 4 Year
  • Marshall University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • KY State #1015
  • Marshall University #868
  • Religious Affiliation
  • KY State -
  • Marshall University -
  • Status
  • KY State Non-profit
  • Marshall University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • KY State
  • Marshall University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • KY State $9,387
  • Marshall University $9,162
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • KY State $13,658
  • Marshall University $20,342
  • Room & Board
  • KY State $8,686
  • Marshall University $13,292
  • Average Net Price
  • KY State $9,397
  • Marshall University $8,076
  • Average Grant Aid
  • KY State $10,340
  • Marshall University $13,448
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • KY State 94%
  • Marshall University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • KY State 1,453
  • Marshall University 6,816
  • Admitted
  • KY State 1,396
  • Marshall University 6,525
  • Acceptance Rate
  • KY State 96.1%
  • Marshall University 95.7%
  • Enrolled
  • KY State 27%
  • Marshall University 28.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KY State 920
  • Marshall University 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • KY State 17
  • Marshall University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • KY State 2.72
  • Marshall University 3.68
  • Typical High School Grades
  • KY State B-
  • Marshall University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • KY State Extremely Easy
  • Marshall University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • KY State
  • Marshall University
  • ACT Range
  • KY State 14/20
  • Marshall University 19/24
  • SAT Range
  • KY State 820/1010
  • Marshall University 910/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • KY State Test optional
  • Marshall University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • KY State
  • Marshall University Aug 10, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • KY State 10:1
  • Marshall University 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • KY State
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Marshall University
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • KY State 21%
  • Marshall University 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • KY State $31,000
  • Marshall University $40,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • KY State 24%
  • Marshall University 43%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • KY State $29,000
  • Marshall University $23,134
  • Median Loan Payment
  • KY State $299
  • Marshall University $239
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • KY State 45%
  • Marshall University 41%
  • % Women
  • KY State 55%
  • Marshall University 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • KY State Medium
  • Marshall University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • KY State Yes
  • Marshall University No
  • % White
  • KY State 27%
  • Marshall University 84%
  • % Asian
  • KY State 1%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Black
  • KY State 57%
  • Marshall University 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • KY State 3%
  • Marshall University 2%
  • % Native American
  • KY State 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • KY State 0%
  • Marshall University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • KY State 2%
  • Marshall University 3%
  • % International
  • KY State 0%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • KY State 9%
  • Marshall University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • KY State 42%
  • Marshall University 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • KY State 55%
  • Marshall University 23%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • KY State Yes
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • KY State No
  • Marshall University No
  • Meal Plan
  • KY State Yes
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • KY State No
  • Marshall University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • KY State No
  • Marshall University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY with Marshall University in Huntington, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Marshall University is larger than KY State based on total student enrollment (11,958 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
  • Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; Marshall University 16:1.

KY State vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State or Marshall 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 Marshall University than KY State ($8,076 vs. $9,397).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 34.7% lower than at Marshall University ($8,686 vs. $13,292).
  • Kentucky State University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $225 more per year; $9,387.00 vs. $9,162.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at Marshall University than at Kentucky State University (about $6,684 more per year; $20,342.00 vs. $13,658.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at Kentucky State University (97% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($13,448 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State or Marshall 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 Marshall University and KY State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marshall University (1030) is 110 points higher than at KY State (920).
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at KY State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Marshall University 910/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Marshall University 19/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; Marshall University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at KY State (2.72).
  • KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than Marshall University (95.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

KY State vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State and Marshall 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).

  • Marshall University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
  • Graduates from Marshall University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,200 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Marshall University graduates have a $5,866 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($23,134 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers, Marshall University graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($239 vs. $299).
  • More Marshall University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 24%)

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.