Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Murray State University

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Murray State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or Murray State University 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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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. Murray State University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Murray State University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Murray State University
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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
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
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

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/