Murray State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Murray State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern ($10,182 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 25.3% lower than at Murray State University ($8,300 vs. $11,112).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $1,024 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.6% higher at Murray State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $8,912 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 36.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($14,178 vs. $10,358).

Murray State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Murray State University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 50 points higher than at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Murray State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern's (49%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $815 lower median loan debt than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,315).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.