KWC vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY 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 KWC based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Murray State University 17:1.

KWC vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 KWC ($10,182 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 6.3% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($11,112 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 250.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $24,773 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.8% higher at KWC than at Murray State University (about $14,837 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College as at Murray State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 80.1% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($25,538 vs. $14,178).

KWC vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC 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 KWC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 50 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at KWC (3.3).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

KWC vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC 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 Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $1,407 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,907).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($222 vs. $236).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)

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.