Kentucky vs. Murray State University

Should I go to University of Kentucky or Murray State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Kentucky 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Tennessee Louisville IU UC WKU Auburn Alabama Purdue Ohio State Michigan State Virginia Tech NKU
University of Kentucky vs. Murray State University comparison
University of Kentucky Murray State University College 3 College 4
University of Kentucky Murray State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Kentucky Murray State University
Location Lexington, KY Murray, KY
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 31,547 9,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #408 #669
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uky.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Kentucky Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $11,496 $8,196
Tuition (Out of State) $30,913 $17,652
Room & Board $14,676 $10,160
Avg Net Price $18,693 $11,042
Avg Grant Aid $14,114 $11,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Kentucky Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,109 10,251
Admitted 20,979 8,609
Acceptance Rate 94.9% 84%
Enrolled % 28.9% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.59 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 19/26
SAT Range 1070/1290 965/1190
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Kentucky Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Kentucky Murray State University
Graduation Rate 59% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,000 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,750 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $235 $222

Diversity

Kentucky Murray State University
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 81%
% Black 8% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Kentucky Murray State University
% In-State 61% 61%
% Out-of-State 37% 36%

Campus

Kentucky 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

  • University of Kentucky is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (31,547 students vs. 9,479 students)

Kentucky vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Murray State University?

  • University of Kentucky is 40.3% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($11,496.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75.1% higher at Kentucky than Murray State University ($30,913.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than Kentucky ($11,042 vs. $18,693)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 44.4% lower than costs at University of Kentucky ($10,160 vs. $14,676)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than University of Kentucky (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 22.1% larger than aid received Murray State University ($14,114 vs. $11,560)

Kentucky vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky .

  • The average SAT score at University of Kentucky (1143) is 74 points higher than at Murray State University (1069)
  • Incoming Kentucky students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Murray State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Murray State University (3.57)
  • Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than Murray State University (84%)

Kentucky vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

  • The graduation rate at Kentucky is higher than Murray State University (59% vs. 52%)
  • Graduates from University of Kentucky earn on average $10,600 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($51,000 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Kentucky graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,750)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Kentucky graduates. ($222 vs. $235)
  • More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/