Murray State University vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Murray State University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or USC Aiken 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 South Carolina Aiken comparison
Murray State University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
Murray State University
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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
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
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

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/