Murray State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Murray State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or NSU? 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 NSU ($10,182 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 4.6% lower than at Murray State University ($10,600 vs. $11,112).
• Murray State University is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,055 more per year; $9,900.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66% higher at Murray State University than at Northern State University (about $7,889 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Northern State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 120.1% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($14,178 vs. $6,441).

Murray State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Murray State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Murray State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and NSU? 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $2,899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($222 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.