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WKU Kentucky UT Martin NKU Austin Peay State University Memphis WSC Middle Tennessee State University Arkansas Morehead State University Eastern BSU| Murray State University | University of Nebraska at Kearney | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
| Location | Murray, KY | Kearney, NE | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,479 | 6,041 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #669 | #571 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | murraystate.edu | unk.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,196 | $6,220 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,652 | $12,036 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,160 | $11,390 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,042 | $16,564 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,560 | $7,282 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 10,251 | 6,794 | ||
| Admitted | 8,609 | 5,842 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84% | 86% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.9% | 14.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.57 | 3.24 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 965/1190 | 1000/1200 | ||
| 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 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
| Graduation Rate | 52% | 61% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $40,400 | $43,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 57% | 71% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,500 | $21,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $219 |
Diversity |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 37% | 34% | ||
| % Women | 63% | 66% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 11% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 4% | 5% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 85% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 36% | 11% | ||
Campus |
Murray State University | UNK | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Murray State University is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (9,479 students vs. 6,041 students)
Murray State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or UNK?
- Murray State University is 31.8% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $6,220.00)
- Out of state tuition is 46.7% higher at Murray State University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($17,652.00 vs. $12,036.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than UNK ($11,042 vs. $16,564)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 12.1% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,160 vs. $11,390)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 58.7% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,560 vs. $7,282)
Murray State University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or UNK? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNK or Murray State University .
- The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 20 points higher than at UNK (1049)
- Incoming Murray State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at UNK (23)
- Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UNK (3.24)
- UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Murray State University (84%)
Murray State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Murray State University or UNK? 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 UNK and Murray State University.
- The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Murray State University (61% vs. 52%)
- Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $3,000 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $40,400)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than Murray State University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $21,500)
- UNK graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Murray State University graduates. ($219 vs. $222)
- More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/