Murray State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Murray State University in Murray, KY with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Murray State University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (10,020 students vs. 4,916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Murray State University is located in Murray, KY (Remote Town setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Murray State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Murray State University 17:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Murray State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Murray State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate ($10,182 vs. $13,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 5.2% lower than at Murray State University ($10,533 vs. $11,112).
• University of South Carolina Upstate is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Murray State University (about $1,688 more per year; $11,588.00 vs. $9,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Murray State University (about $3,254 more per year; $23,090.00 vs. $19,836.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Murray State University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 32.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($14,178 vs. $10,719).

Murray State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Murray State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Murray State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 30 points higher than at Murray State University (1060).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Murray State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 940/1170; University of South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Murray State University 19/26; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Murray State University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Murray State University students have a 1.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• Murray State University has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than University of South Carolina-Upstate (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.4% at Murray State University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Murray State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Murray State University and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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).

• Murray State University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than University of South Carolina Upstate's (39%).
• Graduates from Murray State University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Murray State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Murray State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates ($222 vs. $232).
• More Murray State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.