Murray State University vs. NKU

Should I go to Murray State University or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or NKU 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
Murray State University vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
Murray State University Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
Murray State University Northern Kentucky University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Murray State University NKU
Location Murray, KY Highland Heights, KY
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,479 15,801
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #669 #805
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Murray State University NKU
Tuition (In State) $8,196 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $17,652 $20,464
Room & Board $10,160 $11,248
Avg Net Price $11,042 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $11,560 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Murray State University NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,251 6,905
Admitted 8,609 5,939
Acceptance Rate 84% 86%
Enrolled % 15.9% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/25
SAT Range 965/1190 1030/1290
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 15, 2025

Academics

Murray State University NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Murray State University NKU
Graduation Rate 52% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $222 $257

Diversity

Murray State University NKU
% Men 37% 36%
% Women 63% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 82%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Murray State University NKU
% In-State 61% 66%
% Out-of-State 36% 26%

Campus

Murray State University NKU
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

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 9,479 students)

Murray State University vs. NKU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern Kentucky University is 24.5% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.9% higher at NKU than Murray State University ($20,464.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Murray State University ($7,259 vs. $11,042)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 10.7% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($10,160 vs. $11,248)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University as Northern Kentucky University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 2.5% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($11,560 vs. $11,275)

Murray State University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 1 points higher than at NKU (1068)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at NKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Murray State University (84%)

Murray State University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Murray State University or NKU? 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 NKU and Murray State University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (52% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $39,700)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $3,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,950)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($222 vs. $257)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)

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