Murray State University vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Murray State University or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or Middle Tennessee State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

WKU Austin Peay State University Memphis Belmont Tennessee Tech Tennessee ETSU UTC Kentucky UT Martin Tennessee State University NKU
Murray State University vs. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
Location Murray, KY Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 9,479 20,086
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #669 #656
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $8,196 $7,344
Tuition (Out of State) $17,652 $26,376
Room & Board $10,160 $9,576
Avg Net Price $11,042 $13,062
Avg Grant Aid $11,560 $9,421
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,251 12,868
Admitted 8,609 9,335
Acceptance Rate 84% 72.5%
Enrolled % 15.9% 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 965/1190 1020/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State 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%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 52% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $222 $224

Diversity

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 37% 45%
% Women 63% 55%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 64%
% Black 8% 22%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 61% 89%
% Out-of-State 36% 11%

Campus

Murray State University Middle Tennessee State 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

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (20,086 students vs. 9,479 students)

Murray State University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Murray State University is 11.6% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $7,344.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.4% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than Murray State University ($26,376.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than Middle Tennessee State University ($11,042 vs. $13,062)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 6.1% lower than costs at Murray State University ($9,576 vs. $10,160)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University as Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 22.7% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($11,560 vs. $9,421)

Murray State University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 38 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Middle Tennessee State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Murray State University (3.57)
  • Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than Middle Tennessee State University (72.5%)

Murray State University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Murray State University or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and Murray State University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (52% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Middle Tennessee State University earn on average $1,900 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($42,300 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $258 lower median federal student loan debt than Middle Tennessee State University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $21,758)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Middle Tennessee State University graduates. ($222 vs. $224)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University 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/