Murray State University vs. WKU

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

Murray State University WKU
Location Murray, KY Bowling Green, KY
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 9,479 16,493
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #669 #875
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu wku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Murray State University WKU
Tuition (In State) $8,196 $11,112
Tuition (Out of State) $17,652 $27,000
Room & Board $10,160 $11,072
Avg Net Price $11,042 $12,625
Avg Grant Aid $11,560 $10,260
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Murray State University WKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,251 7,505
Admitted 8,609 7,276
Acceptance Rate 84% 96.9%
Enrolled % 15.9% 37.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 18/25
SAT Range 965/1190 980/1170
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 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Murray State University WKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

Murray State University WKU
Graduation Rate 52% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $37,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $222 $250

Diversity

Murray State University WKU
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 76%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Murray State University WKU
% In-State 61% 70%
% Out-of-State 36% 29%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Kentucky University is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (16,493 students vs. 9,479 students)

Murray State University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Kentucky University is 35.6% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($11,112.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 53% higher at WKU than Murray State University ($27,000.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than WKU ($11,042 vs. $12,625)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 9% lower than costs at Western Kentucky University ($10,160 vs. $11,072)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 12.7% larger than aid received Western Kentucky University ($11,560 vs. $10,260)

Murray State University vs. WKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or WKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WKU or Murray State University .

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 22 points higher than at WKU (1047)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at WKU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WKU (3.42)
  • WKU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Murray State University (84%)

Murray State University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Murray State University or WKU? 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 WKU and Murray State University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Western Kentucky University (52% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Murray State University earn on average $3,300 more per year than WKU graduates after ten years. ($40,400 vs. $37,100)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than WKU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,250)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than WKU graduates. ($222 vs. $250)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

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