Gordon vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gordon State College in Barnesville, GA 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 Gordon based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gordon State College 20:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Gordon vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon 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 Gordon State College than Murray State University ($7,807 vs. $10,182).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 6% lower than at Murray State University ($10,444 vs. $11,112).
• Murray State University is 172.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $6,272 more per year; $9,900.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.2% higher at Murray State University than at Gordon State College (about $8,888 more per year; $19,836.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at Gordon State College (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 119.4% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($14,178 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Murray State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon 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 Gordon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Murray State University (1060) is 50 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Murray State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130; Murray State University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24; Murray State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Murray State University - Test optional.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Murray State University (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Gordon vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon 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).

• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($180 vs. $222).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 26%)

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.