Murray State University vs. Spalding

Comparable Facts

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

Murray State University is larger than Spalding based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); Spalding University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; Spalding University 9:1.

Murray State University vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or Spalding? 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 Spalding ($10,182 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 12.6% lower than at Murray State University ($9,710 vs. $11,112).
• Spalding University is 194.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $19,300 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.2% higher at Spalding than at Murray State University (about $9,364 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University as at Spalding University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spalding University students is 37% larger than aid received by Murray State University students ($19,429 vs. $14,178).

Murray State University vs. Spalding Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 100 points higher than at Spalding (960).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Spalding).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; Spalding - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Murray State University (3.57).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 15.6% at Spalding.

Murray State University vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and Spalding? 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 Spalding University's (42%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Spalding graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 44%)

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.