SIUE vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Murray State University in Murray, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 10,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Murray State University 17:1.

SIUE vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE or Murray State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than SIUE ($10,182 vs. $17,115).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 23.3% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($11,112 vs. $14,490).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $3,022 more per year; $12,922.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.5% higher at Murray State University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $6,914 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($14,178 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE or Murray State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Murray State University and SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1070) is 10 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming SIUE students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Murray State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at SIUE (3.54).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

SIUE vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE and Murray State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at SIUE is the same as at Murray State University (52% vs. 52%).
• Graduates from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $70 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($21,430 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($221 vs. $222).
• More SIUE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.