Murray State University vs. UNK

Should I go to Murray State University or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or UNK 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 Nebraska at Kearney comparison
Murray State University University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
Murray State University University of Nebraska at Kearney
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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
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
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

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/