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WKU Kentucky UT Martin NKU Austin Peay State University Memphis Middle Tennessee State University Arkansas A&M Commerce ATU Morehead State University Eastern| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Murray, KY | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,094 | 9,479 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #868 | #669 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | murraystate.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,020 | $8,196 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,450 | $17,652 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,809 | $10,160 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,056 | $11,042 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,316 | $11,560 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 100% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,916 | 10,251 | ||
| Admitted | 1,855 | 8,609 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 63.6% | 84% | ||
| Enrolled % | 38.1% | 15.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.57 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Moderate | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 905/1190 | 965/1190 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 27, 2025 |
Academics |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 52% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $40,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $222 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 45% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 55% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 81% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 8% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 2% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 70% | 61% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 36% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Murray State University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Murray State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (9,479 students vs. 5,094 students)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Murray State University?
- Murray State University is 16.8% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $7,020.00)
- Out of state tuition is 41.8% higher at Murray State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($17,652.00 vs. $12,450.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,042 vs. $14,056)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 30.1% lower than costs at Murray State University ($7,809 vs. $10,160)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 24.1% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($11,560 vs. $9,316)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Murray State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Murray State University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .
- The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 81 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
- Incoming Murray State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
- Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46)
- Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Murray State University? 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 Murray State University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
- The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (52% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,480 lower median federal student loan debt than Murray State University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,500)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Murray State University graduates. ($175 vs. $222)
- More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/