Murray State University vs. Marshall University

Should I go to Murray State University or Marshall University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or Marshall University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Murray State University vs. Marshall University comparison
Murray State University Marshall University College 3 College 4
Murray State University Marshall University
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Overview

Murray State University Marshall University
Location Murray, KY Huntington, WV
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 9,479 10,691
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #669 #813
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Murray State University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $8,196 $7,190
Tuition (Out of State) $17,652 $18,244
Room & Board $10,160 $11,840
Avg Net Price $11,042 $8,756
Avg Grant Aid $11,560 $11,221
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Murray State University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,251 6,356
Admitted 8,609 6,158
Acceptance Rate 84% 96.9%
Enrolled % 15.9% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/25
SAT Range 965/1190 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

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

Outcomes

Murray State University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 52% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $222 $239

Diversity

Murray State University Marshall University
% Men 37% 40%
% Women 63% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 84%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Murray State University Marshall University
% In-State 61% 79%
% Out-of-State 36% 20%

Campus

Murray State University Marshall University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (10,691 students vs. 9,479 students)

Murray State University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or Marshall University?

  • Murray State University is 14% more expensive to attend than Marshall University for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $7,190.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.4% higher at Marshall University than Murray State University ($18,244.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Murray State University ($8,756 vs. $11,042)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 16.5% lower than costs at Marshall University ($10,160 vs. $11,840)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Marshall University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 3% larger than aid received Marshall University ($11,560 vs. $11,221)

Murray State University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or Marshall University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Marshall University or Murray State University .

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 41 points higher than at Marshall University (1028)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Marshall University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Murray State University (3.57)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Murray State University (84%)

Murray State University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Murray State University or Marshall University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Marshall University and Murray State University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Marshall University (52% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $200 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $40,200)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $1,634 lower median federal student loan debt than Marshall University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,134)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Marshall University graduates. ($222 vs. $239)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 43%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/