Murray State University vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 10,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Murray State University vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or UTC? 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 UTC ($10,182 vs. $15,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 11.8% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($11,112 vs. $12,604).
• The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $548 more per year; $10,448.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Murray State University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $1,324 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 41.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($14,178 vs. $10,038).

Murray State University vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 50 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming UTC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Murray State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Murray State University (3.57).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Murray State University vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Chattanooga earn a median of about $200 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $708 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($20,792 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.