Murray State University vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 10,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Murray State University vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or ETSU? 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 ETSU ($10,182 vs. $16,286).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 5% lower than at Murray State University ($10,554 vs. $11,112).
• East Tennessee State University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $572 more per year; $10,472.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at Murray State University than at East Tennessee State University (about $5,314 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 40.4% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($14,178 vs. $10,101).

Murray State University vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Tennessee State University (1090) is 30 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Murray State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at ETSU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at ETSU (3.33).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Murray State University vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than ETSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

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.