Murray State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Murray State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University ($10,182 vs. $11,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 10% lower than at Saginaw Valley State University ($11,112 vs. $12,340).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 30.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $3,030 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.5% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Murray State University (about $10,614 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Saginaw Valley State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students ($14,178 vs. $13,512).

Murray State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 10 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Murray State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at Saginaw Valley State University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Saginaw Valley State University (3.48).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Murray State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 48%)

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.