University of Central Arkansas vs. Murray State University

Should I go to University of Central Arkansas or Murray State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Central Arkansas or Murray State University 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.

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University of Central Arkansas vs. Murray State University comparison
University of Central Arkansas Murray State University College 3 College 4
University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
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Overview

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
Location Conway, AR Murray, KY
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 9,913 9,479
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #837 #669
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uca.edu murraystate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
Tuition (In State) $6,950 $8,196
Tuition (Out of State) $13,900 $17,652
Room & Board $8,250 $10,160
Avg Net Price $15,456 $11,042
Avg Grant Aid $8,177 $11,560
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,522 10,251
Admitted 5,949 8,609
Acceptance Rate 91.2% 84%
Enrolled % 30.3% 15.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.57
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 940/1130 965/1190
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

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (55%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Business (8%)
  • Education (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (3%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
Graduation Rate 40% 52%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $40,400
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,415 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $221 $222

Diversity

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 81%
% Black 18% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

University of Central Arkansas Murray State University
% In-State 90% 61%
% Out-of-State 8% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Central Arkansas is larger than than Murray State University based on total student enrollment (9,913 students vs. 9,479 students)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Murray State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or Murray State University?

  • Murray State University is 17.9% more expensive to attend than University of Central Arkansas for in-state tuition ($8,196.00 vs. $6,950.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27% higher at Murray State University than University of Central Arkansas ($17,652.00 vs. $13,900.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Murray State University than University of Central Arkansas ($11,042 vs. $15,456)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 23.2% lower than costs at Murray State University ($8,250 vs. $10,160)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Murray State University than University of Central Arkansas (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Murray State University students is 41.4% larger than aid received University of Central Arkansas ($11,560 vs. $8,177)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Murray State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Murray State University (1069) is 1 points higher than at University of Central Arkansas (1068)
  • Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Murray State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Murray State University (3.57)
  • University of Central Arkansas has a higher acceptance rate (91.2%) than Murray State University (84%)

University of Central Arkansas vs. Murray State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Central Arkansas or Murray State University? 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 Murray State University and University of Central Arkansas.

  • The graduation rate at Murray State University is higher than University of Central Arkansas (52% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn on average $400 more per year than Murray State University graduates after ten years. ($40,800 vs. $40,400)
  • University of Central Arkansas students graduate with a $85 lower median federal student loan debt than Murray State University graduates. ($21,415 vs. $21,500)
  • University of Central Arkansas graduates are paying $1 less per month on federal student loans than Murray State University graduates. ($221 vs. $222)
  • More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Murray State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 57%)

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