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Murray State University

Murray State University

Murray, KY · Town · 6,688 students
WebsiteForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$9,096
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
60%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$44,737
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
86%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Located in a quintessential college town in western Kentucky, Murray State University is widely recognized for its high-value education and premier programs in agriculture, veterinary technology, nursing, and business. The university distinguishes itself through a unique residential college system—rare for a regional public institution—that fosters tight-knit living-learning communities and strong faculty mentorship. Campus life is anchored by enthusiastic NCAA Division I Racer athletics and charming traditions, most notably the legendary "Shoe Tree," creating a welcoming, community-driven experience for undergraduate students.

Wikipedia:Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, United States. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper-level and graduate courses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson.

Location
Murray, KY, 42071-3318 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BNA · Nashville
98 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$9,900$19,836
Housing & food (on campus)$11,112$11,112
Books & supplies$940$940
Cost of attendance$23,485$33,421 est.
Average net price$9,096Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$19,836
In-state: $9,900
Housing & food (on campus)$11,112
Books & supplies$940
Cost of attendance$33,421 est.
In-state: $23,485
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $9,096
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$6,242
$30–48k
$6,347
$48–75k
$8,104
$75–110k
$12,811
$110k+
$15,450
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
60%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
49%
Back for yr 2
76%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
58% graduated · 14% transferred · 28% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$38,473
10 yrs after entry$44,737
Debt
Median at graduation$20,500
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$6k–$26k
90th percentile$34,735
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
86%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1133
R 480–600 · M 460–570
ACT midpoint
24
Comp 19–26 · E 19–27 · M 18–25
SAT middle 50%: 940–1170
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Murray State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
33%
First-gen
34%
Family income
$46,064
Independent
21%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
9%
Race & ethnicity
White
78%
Hispanic
4%
Black
6%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Rifle
    Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$38,473
After 10 yrs
$44,737
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields, Other125
Animal Sciences109
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods92
Accounting and Related Services90
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing85
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities83
Business/Commerce, General72
Research and Experimental Psychology67
Finance and Financial Management Services59
Social Work55
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians48
Biology, General47
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication45
Engineering Physics38
Political Science and Government33
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management32
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$129M
Full-time faculty
82%
Faculty salary
$7,855/mo
Teaching spend
$10,232
per student
Federal loans
35%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Murray State University is the right fit for you?

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