California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Murray State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Murray State University in Murray, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Murray State University is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 6,237 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Murray State University is in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Murray State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Murray State University are 21.3% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt ($11,112 vs. $14,118).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Murray State University (about $1,014 more per year; $20,850 vs. $19,836).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 31.9% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($14,178 vs. $10,748).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Murray State University than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, test optional at Murray State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Murray State University average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 17.4% at Murray State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Murray State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Murray State University graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.