UALR vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, AR with Murray State University in Murray, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than UALR based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Murray State University 17:1.

UALR vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR 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 UALR ($10,182 vs. $12,033).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 3.2% lower than at Murray State University ($10,760 vs. $11,112).
• Murray State University is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UALR (about $152 more per year; $9,900.00 vs. $9,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.7% higher at UALR than at Murray State University (about $2,322 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 28.7% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students ($14,178 vs. $11,013).

UALR vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR 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 UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 30 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UALR).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at UALR (3.42).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

UALR vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR 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).

• Murray State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 51%)

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.