Southern Illinois University vs. Murray State University

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

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
Location Carbondale, IL Murray, KY
Setting Rural Fringe Remote Town
Enrollment 11,107 9,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #467 #669
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website siuc.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $9,638 $8,196
Tuition (Out of State) $9,638 $17,652
Room & Board $10,622 $10,160
Avg Net Price $16,990 $11,042
Avg Grant Aid $11,269 $11,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,771 10,251
Admitted 8,940 8,609
Acceptance Rate 91.5% 84%
Enrolled % 17% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.57
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/27 19/26
SAT Range 900/1140 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

Academics

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
Graduation Rate 44% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $232 $222

Diversity

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
% Men 49% 37%
% Women 51% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 81%
% Black 19% 8%
% Hispanic 8% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Southern Illinois University Murray State University
% In-State 81% 61%
% Out-of-State 17% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (11,107 students vs. 9,479 students)

Southern Illinois University vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Illinois University or Murray State University?

  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale is 17.6% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($9,638.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 83.2% higher at Murray State University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($17,652.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than Southern Illinois University ($11,042 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 4.5% lower than costs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($10,160 vs. $10,622)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 2.6% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($11,560 vs. $11,269)

Southern Illinois University vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Illinois University 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 Southern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 37 points higher than at Southern Illinois University (1032)
  • Incoming Murray State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Murray State University (84%)

Southern Illinois University vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Illinois University 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 Southern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (52% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $7,400 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,500)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Southern Illinois University graduates. ($222 vs. $232)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University 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/