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Eastern Kentucky Louisville UTC UT Martin NKU Austin Peay State University Memphis University of Southern Indiana Middle Tennessee State University KSU Arkansas| Murray State University | Western Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
| Location | Murray, KY | Bowling Green, KY | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Small City | ||
| Enrollment | 9,479 | 16,493 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #669 | #875 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | murraystate.edu | wku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,196 | $11,112 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,652 | $27,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,160 | $11,072 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,042 | $12,625 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,560 | $10,260 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 10,251 | 7,505 | ||
| Admitted | 8,609 | 7,276 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84% | 96.9% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.9% | 37.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.57 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/26 | 18/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 965/1190 | 980/1170 | ||
| 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 | WKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 52% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $40,400 | $37,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 57% | 47% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,500 | $24,250 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $250 |
Diversity |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 37% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 63% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 81% | 76% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 3% | ||
| % International | 4% | 6% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 70% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 36% | 29% | ||
Campus |
Murray State University | WKU | ||
| 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 Kentucky University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 9,479 students)
Murray State University vs. WKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or WKU?
- Western Kentucky University is 35.6% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $8,196.00)
- Out of state tuition is 53% higher at WKU than Murray State University ($27,000.00 vs. $17,652.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than WKU ($11,042 vs. $12,625)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 9% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,160 vs. $11,072)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 12.7% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($11,560 vs. $10,260)
Murray State University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or WKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WKU or Murray State University .
- The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 22 points higher than at WKU (1047)
- Incoming Murray State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
- Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WKU (3.42)
- WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Murray State University (84%)
Murray State University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Murray State University or WKU? 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 WKU and Murray State University.
- The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Western Kentucky University (52% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $3,300 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $37,100)
- Murray State University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,250)
- Murray State University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($222 vs. $250)
- More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/