Lyon College vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lyon College in Batesville, AR 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 Lyon College based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 659 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lyon College is located in Batesville, AR (Remote Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Lyon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lyon College 11:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Lyon College vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lyon 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 Lyon College ($10,182 vs. $19,872).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lyon College are 3.3% lower than at Murray State University ($10,750 vs. $11,112).
• Lyon College is 213.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $21,100 more per year; $31,000.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at Lyon College than at Murray State University (about $11,164 more per year; $31,000.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lyon College as at Murray State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lyon College students is 77.3% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($25,132 vs. $14,178).

Lyon College vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lyon College (1120) is 60 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Lyon College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Murray State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lyon College 1050/1195; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lyon College 21/26; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lyon College - Test-free; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Lyon College (3.0).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Lyon College (62.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at Lyon College vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Lyon College vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lyon 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).

• Murray State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Lyon College's (50%).
• Graduates from Lyon College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Lyon College graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lyon College graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Lyon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.