Murray State University vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Murray State University vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or SWU? 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 SWU ($10,182 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 8.9% lower than at Murray State University ($10,126 vs. $11,112).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 201% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $19,900 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at SWU than at Murray State University (about $9,964 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 37.5% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($19,498 vs. $14,178).

Murray State University vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and Murray State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 70 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming SWU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Murray State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Murray State University 940/1170; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Murray State University 19/26; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Murray State University (3.57).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Murray State University vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Murray State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 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 SWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

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.