Murray State University vs. Southwest Baptist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than Southwest Baptist University based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 2,199 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Murray State University vs. Southwest Baptist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University ($10,182 vs. $21,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Baptist University are 12% lower than at Murray State University ($9,776 vs. $11,112).
• Southwest Baptist University is 208.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $20,666 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.1% higher at Southwest Baptist University than at Murray State University (about $10,730 more per year; $30,566.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Southwest Baptist University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Baptist University students is 34.3% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($19,043 vs. $14,178).

Murray State University vs. Southwest Baptist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University and Murray State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 50 points higher than at Southwest Baptist University (1010).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Southwest Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; Southwest Baptist University 810/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; Southwest Baptist University 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; Southwest Baptist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Southwest Baptist University (3.55).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Southwest Baptist University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 34.3% at Southwest Baptist University.

Murray State University vs. Southwest Baptist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and Southwest Baptist 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 Southwest Baptist University's (48%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Southwest Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have a $413 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($21,087 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Baptist University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($218 vs. $222).
• More Southwest Baptist University 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.