Murray State University vs. University of Akron

Should I go to Murray State University or University of Akron Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or University of Akron is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Murray State University vs. University of Akron Main Campus comparison
Murray State University University of Akron Main Campus College 3 College 4
Murray State University University of Akron Main Campus
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Overview

Murray State University University of Akron
Location Murray, KY Akron, OH
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 9,841 13,518
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #704 #858
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu uakron.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Murray State University University of Akron
Tuition (In State) $8,436 $10,399
Tuition (Out of State) $18,180 $14,839
Room & Board $10,594 $11,070
Avg Net Price $9,738 $15,292
Avg Grant Aid $12,939 $9,452
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Murray State University University of Akron
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,038 14,982
Admitted 9,511 10,624
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 70.9%Open
Enrolled % 17.4% 19.7%Open
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 18/25
SAT Range 950/1190 950/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Murray State University University of Akron
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (6%)

Outcomes

Murray State University University of Akron
Graduation Rate 52% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $40,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $263

Diversity

Murray State University University of Akron
% Men 7% 7%
% Women 13% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 74%
% Black 8% 12%
% Hispanic 2% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Murray State University University of Akron
% In-State 61% 91%
% Out-of-State 38% 7%

Campus

Murray State University University of Akron
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Akron Main Campus is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (13,518 students vs. 9,841 students)

Murray State University vs. University of Akron Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or University of Akron?

  • University of Akron Main Campus is 23.3% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($10,399.00 vs. $8,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 22.5% higher at Murray State University than University of Akron Main Campus ($18,180.00 vs. $14,839.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than University of Akron ($9,738 vs. $15,292)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 4.5% lower than costs at University of Akron Main Campus ($10,594 vs. $11,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than University of Akron Main Campus (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 36.9% larger than aid received University of Akron Main Campus ($12,939 vs. $9,452)

Murray State University vs. University of Akron Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or University of Akron? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Akron or Murray State University .

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 20 points higher than at University of Akron (1049)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at University of Akron (23)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of Akron (3.47)
  • Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than University of Akron (70.9%)

Murray State University vs. University of Akron Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Murray State University or University of Akron? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Akron and Murray State University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than University of Akron Main Campus (52% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $300 more per year than University of Akron graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $40,100)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Akron graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,500)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than University of Akron graduates. ($222 vs. $263)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/