EIU vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Murray State University 17:1.

EIU vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 EIU ($10,182 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 9.5% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,112 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 38.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $3,779 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.3% higher at Murray State University than at Eastern Illinois University (about $3,619 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 9.4% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($14,178 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 70 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMurray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at EIU (3.39).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

EIU vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Murray State University's (52%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Murray State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $2,150 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($222 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.