University of South Alabama vs. Murray State University

Should I go to University of South Alabama or Murray State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama 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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University of South Alabama vs. Murray State University comparison
University of South Alabama Murray State University College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama Murray State University
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Overview

University of South Alabama Murray State University
Location Mobile, AL Murray, KY
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 13,768 9,841
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #750 #704
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $8,976 $8,436
Tuition (Out of State) $17,952 $18,180
Room & Board $8,830 $10,594
Avg Net Price $13,613 $9,738
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $12,939
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

University of South Alabama Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,593 11,038
Admitted 8,247 9,511
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 86.2%
Enrolled % 23.3% 17.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.57
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 1015/1200 950/1190
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

University of South Alabama Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Murray State University
Graduation Rate 39% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $253 $222

Diversity

University of South Alabama Murray State University
% Men 7% 7%
% Women 28% 13%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 81%
% Black 24% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

University of South Alabama Murray State University
% In-State 73% 61%
% Out-of-State 26% 38%

Campus

University of South Alabama Murray State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 9,841 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Murray State University?

  • University of South Alabama is 6.4% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($8,976.00 vs. $8,436.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.3% higher at Murray State University than University of South Alabama ($18,180.00 vs. $17,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than University of South Alabama ($9,738 vs. $13,613)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 20% lower than costs at Murray State University ($8,830 vs. $10,594)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than University of South Alabama (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 52.2% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($12,939 vs. $8,500)

University of South Alabama vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 24 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Murray State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Murray State University (3.57)
  • Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

University of South Alabama vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than University of South Alabama (52% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $4,800 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,500)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($222 vs. $253)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 45%)

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