Murray State University vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with Cottey College in Nevada, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Murray State University vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or Cottey College? 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 Cottey College ($10,182 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 1.1% lower than at Cottey College ($11,112 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 178.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $17,662 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at Cottey College than at Murray State University (about $7,726 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University as at Cottey College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 73.3% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($24,565 vs. $14,178).

Murray State University vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or Cottey College? 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 Cottey College and Murray State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cottey College (1080) is 20 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cottey College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

Murray State University vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and Cottey College? 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).

• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($124 vs. $222).
• More Cottey College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.