Murray State University vs. WCU

Should I go to Murray State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or WCU 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. Western Carolina University comparison
Murray State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Murray State University Western Carolina University
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Overview

 Murray State University WCU
Location Murray, KY Cullowhee, NC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 9,479 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #669 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Murray State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $8,196 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $17,652 $5,000
Room & Board $10,160 $11,173
Avg Net Price $11,042 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $11,560 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

 Murray State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,251 17,917
Admitted 8,609 15,201
Acceptance Rate 84% 84.8%
Enrolled % 15.9% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 965/1190 1020/1240
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

 Murray State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

 Murray State University WCU
Graduation Rate 52% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $222 $227

Diversity

 Murray State University WCU
% Men 37% 41%
% Women 63% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 79%
% Black 8% 6%
% Hispanic 2% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

 Murray State University WCU
% In-State 61% 80%
% Out-of-State 36% 18%

Campus

 Murray State University WCU
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

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 9,479 students)

Murray State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or WCU?

  • Murray State University is 719.6% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 253% higher at Murray State University than Western Carolina University ($17,652.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than WCU ($11,042 vs. $13,022)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 10% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,160 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Western Carolina University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 155.4% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($11,560 vs. $4,526)

Murray State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 37 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Murray State University (84%)

Murray State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Murray State University or WCU? 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 WCU and Murray State University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Western Carolina University (52% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $1,300 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $39,100)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $510 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,010)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($222 vs. $227)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 57%)

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