Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
WKU Kentucky University of Toledo Eastern UT Martin Austin Peay State University Memphis Xavier UC Morehead State University Middle Tennessee State University Louisville| Murray State University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| 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 |
|
|
||
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/