Murray State College vs Carl Albert State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Murray State College comes closer — median earnings $36,545 against a $25,688 total, vs $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Murray State College | Carl Albert State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,844 | $14,607 |
| Total net cost | $25,688 | $29,214 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,545 | $34,117 |
| Median debt | $13,387 | $9,362 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$261,988 | -$314,074 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Murray State College or Carl Albert State College?
Murray State College, at $12,844 a year after aid versus $14,607 — a gap of $1,763 a year, or $3,526 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Murray State College or Carl Albert State College graduates earn more?
Murray State College graduates report a median $36,545 ten years after entry, $2,428 more than the $34,117 at Carl Albert State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Murray State College or Carl Albert State College?
Carl Albert State College: its completers carry a median $9,362 in federal loans versus $13,387 at Murray State College, a difference of $4,025. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Carl Albert State College, against 27% at Murray State College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.