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WKU Kentucky UT Martin NKU Austin Peay State University USC Beaufort ASU Memphis Middle Tennessee State University Arkansas Morehead State University Eastern| Murray State University | University of South Carolina Aiken | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
| Location | Murray, KY | Aiken, SC | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 9,479 | 3,840 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #669 | #888 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | murraystate.edu | usca.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,196 | $10,398 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,652 | $20,856 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,160 | $8,376 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,042 | $11,872 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,560 | $9,891 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 100% |
Admission |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 10,251 | 2,453 | ||
| Admitted | 8,609 | 1,855 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84% | 75.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.9% | 29.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.57 | 3.19 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 965/1190 | 950/1180 | ||
| 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, 2025 |
Academics |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
| Graduation Rate | 52% | 41% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $40,400 | $39,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 57% | 54% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,500 | $26,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $268 |
Diversity |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 37% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 63% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 58% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 27% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 87% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 36% | 11% | ||
Campus |
Murray State University | USC Aiken | ||
| 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 USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (9,479 students vs. 3,840 students)
Murray State University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or USC Aiken?
- University of South Carolina Aiken is 26.9% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $8,196.00)
- Out of state tuition is 18.2% higher at USC Aiken than Murray State University ($20,856.00 vs. $17,652.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than USC Aiken ($11,042 vs. $11,872)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 21.3% lower than costs at Murray State University ($8,376 vs. $10,160)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University as University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 100%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 16.9% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($11,560 vs. $9,891)
Murray State University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or Murray State University .
- The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 93 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
- Incoming Murray State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at USC Aiken (21)
- Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
- Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than USC Aiken (75.6%)
Murray State University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Murray State University or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Murray State University.
- The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (52% vs. 41%)
- Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $800 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $39,600)
- Murray State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,000)
- Murray State University graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
- More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/