Murray State University vs. SWU

Should I go to Murray State University or Southern Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Murray State University or SWU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Murray State University vs. Southern Wesleyan University comparison
Murray State University Southern Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Murray State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Murray State University SWU
Location Murray, KY Central, SC
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 9,479 1,175
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #669 #826
Religious Affiliation - Wesleyan - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website murraystate.edu edu.
Team Colors                    

Costs

Murray State University SWU
Tuition (In State) $8,196 $26,520
Tuition (Out of State) $17,652 $26,520
Room & Board $10,160 $9,650
Avg Net Price $11,042 $17,639
Avg Grant Aid $11,560 $19,636
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Murray State University SWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,251 846
Admitted 8,609 433
Acceptance Rate 84% 51.2%
Enrolled % 15.9% 34.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.57 4.0
Typical High School Grades B+ A/A+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/23
SAT Range 965/1190 1013/1160
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

Murray State University SWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

Murray State University SWU
Graduation Rate 52% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,400 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $279

Diversity

Murray State University SWU
% Men 37% 33%
% Women 63% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 81% 63%
% Black 8% 28%
% Hispanic 2% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Murray State University SWU
% In-State 61% 58%
% Out-of-State 36% 42%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Murray State University is larger than than SWU based on total student enrollment (9,479 students vs. 1,175 students)

Murray State University vs. SWU Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Wesleyan University is 223.6% more expensive to attend than Murray State University for in-state tuition ($26,520.00 vs. $8,196.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.2% higher at SWU than Murray State University ($26,520.00 vs. $17,652.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than SWU ($11,042 vs. $17,639)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 5.3% lower than costs at Murray State University ($9,650 vs. $10,160)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University as Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 69.9% larger than aid received Murray State University ($19,636 vs. $11,560)

Murray State University vs. SWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Murray State University (3.57)
  • Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (84%) than SWU (51.2%)

Murray State University vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than Southern Wesleyan University (52% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $4,400 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $40,400)
  • Murray State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than SWU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Murray State University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than SWU graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

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