Murray State University vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Murray State University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; Radford University 14:1.

Murray State University vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or RU? 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 RU ($10,182 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 11.1% lower than at Radford University ($11,112 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $2,648 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at RU than at Murray State University (about $5,797 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Radford University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($14,178 vs. $11,870).

Murray State University vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming Murray State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at RU (3.31).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 14.4% at RU.

Murray State University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Murray State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.