UnisHub University Compass

Murray State University (MSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Murray State University

Find the Shoe Tree and you'll get the vibe. Murray State is known for hands-on learning in agriculture, business, education, engineering tech, health, and the arts and sciences. Classes favor discussion, and faculty have a reputation for being accessible. The culture is friendly and unpretentious, where it's easy to know people by name and try new ideas.

Students tap labs, studios, maker spaces, and a library that doubles as an academic hub, plus tutoring, advising, counseling, and a career center connecting internships and first jobs. Life outside class runs through music, student media, service orgs, intramurals, and outdoor trips. And the town brings a walkable square, local coffee, and quick access to lakes and trails. Known for a residential college model, the campus leans close-knit. Notable alumni include NBA guard Ja Morant.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
218 Wells Hall, Murray, Kentucky, 42071, USA
Unit ID
157401

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
SACSCOC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (P)
Doctorate (O)
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a distant town (10-35 miles from urbanized area)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Large programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$9,708
Tuition $8,436 + Fee $1,272
Out-of-State
$19,452
Tuition $18,180 + Fee $1,272
Student Profile
Total Students 9,841
Undergraduate 6,646
Graduate/Other 3,195
Male: 3,622 Female: 6,219
Applications
Total Applicants 11,038
Admitted 9,511
Enrolled 1,659
Acceptance: 86.2% Yield: 17.4%
Staff
Total Staff 1,229
Full-time 1,072
Part-time 157
Full-time: 87.2% Part-time: 12.8%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Murray State University (MSU) offers 86 degree programs across 22 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,328 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (7 programs, 377 graduates), Education (15 programs, 375 graduates), Agriculture (4 programs, 283 graduates), Health (7 programs, 259 graduates) and Computer & IT (3 programs, 127 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (7 programs, 377 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration 175
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0101
Accounting 85
Bachelor's
52.0301
Finance, General 72
Bachelor's
52.0801
Marketing Management 20
Bachelor's
52.1401
Organizational Leadership 12
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
52.0213
Business Administration and Management 9
Bachelor's
52.0201
Logistics and Supply Chain Management 4
Bachelor's
52.0203
Education (15 programs, 375 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 65
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1202
Agricultural Teacher Education 50
Master's
13.1301
Educational Administration and Supervision 40
Master's
13.0499
Special Education Teaching 34
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1001
Middle School Education and Teaching 27
Bachelor's
13.1203
Multiple Level Teacher Education 27
Master's
13.1206
Educational Leadership and Administration 26
Doctorate (O)
13.0401
Technical Teacher Education 24
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1319
Early Childhood Education 21
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1210
School Library Media Specialist 19
Master's
13.1334
School Counseling and Guidance 17
Master's
13.1101
Higher Education Administration 9
Postbac Cert.
Master's
13.0406
Health Education Teacher Preparation 8
Bachelor's
13.1307
Reading Teacher Education 7
Master's
13.1315
English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching 1
Master's
13.1401
Agriculture (4 programs, 283 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Agricultural and Veterinary Science 194
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
01.9999
Animal Health Sciences 71
Bachelor's
01.0903
Animal Sciences 17
Bachelor's
01.0901
Veterinary Administrative Services 1
Postbac Cert.
01.8201
Health (7 programs, 259 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Registered Nursing 104
Bachelor's
51.3801
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology 57
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0204
Community Health and Preventive Medicine 31
Bachelor's
51.2208
Nursing Practice 29
Doctorate (P)
51.3818
Occupational Therapy 16
Master's
51.2306
Dietetics 16
Bachelor's
Master's
51.3101
Respiratory Care Therapy 6
Bachelor's
51.0908
Computer & IT (3 programs, 127 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Information Technology 60
Bachelor's
Master's
11.0103
Information Systems Security and Auditing 35
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
11.1003
Computer Science 32
Bachelor's
11.0701
Eng. Technologies (6 programs, 127 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Occupational Safety and Health Technology 58
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
15.0701
Civil Engineering Technology 21
Bachelor's
15.0201
Electromechanical Engineering Technology 17
Bachelor's
15.0403
CAD and CADD Drafting and Design Technology 16
Bachelor's
15.1302
Manufacturing Engineering Technology 14
Bachelor's
15.0613
Industrial Technology 1
Associate's
15.0612
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 123 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Studies 111
Bachelor's
24.0102
Liberal Arts and Sciences 12
Associate's
24.0101
Communication (8 programs, 89 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Organizational Communication 27
Bachelor's
Master's
09.0901
Mass Communication and Media Studies 19
Master's
09.0102
Public Relations and Image Management 17
Bachelor's
09.0902
Radio and Television Broadcasting 7
Bachelor's
09.0701
Advertising 7
Bachelor's
09.0903
Journalism 6
Bachelor's
09.0401
Digital Media and Multimedia 3
Bachelor's
09.0702
Health Communication 3
Postbac Cert.
09.0905
Psychology (4 programs, 79 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Experimental Psychology 61
Bachelor's
42.2799
Clinical Psychology 8
Master's
42.2801
School Psychology 8
Master's
42.2805
Experimental Psychology 2
Master's
42.2704
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 71 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 47
Bachelor's
Master's
26.0101
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 24
Bachelor's
26.0908

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Murray State University (MSU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
950 - 1190
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 480 - 600
Median: 540
Math 470 - 590
Median: 530
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
19 - 26
25th-75th percentile
English 19 - 27
Median: 22
Math 17 - 25
Median: 22

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$26,919
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$36,663
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$9,708
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$19,452
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$10,594 (on) / $12,534 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$900
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$5,717
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$5,717
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$10,368
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$10,368
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

18%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$12,939
Avg. Loan
$8,501
Avg. Federal Loan
$7,260
Additional
Students with Any Grant
1,358
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
640
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
548
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$8,532
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

60%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
76%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$30,046 – $66,231
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$30,046 (25th %) $66,231 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $44,737
Median Salary After 6 Years
$38,473
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$44,737
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
57.2%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
72.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$20,500
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 46.0%
Middle 63.6%
High 69.3%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 62.2%
Independent 44.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Murray State University (MSU)

How much does it cost to attend Murray State University (MSU)?

The annual tuition at Murray State University (MSU) is $9,708 for in-state students and $19,452 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $26,919 for in-state students and $36,663 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $10,594 (on) / $12,534 (off) and books and supplies $900.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Murray State University offer?

Murray State University (MSU) offers 86 academic programs across 22 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Associate's, Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Professional), Doctorate (Other), Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (7 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (15 programs)
  • Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (4 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
  • Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (3 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Murray State University?

Murray State University (MSU) has an 86.2% acceptance rate and a 17.4% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 11,038
  • Students admitted: 9,511
  • Students enrolled: 1,659

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Murray State University?

Murray State University (MSU) provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $12,939 and average loans of $8,501.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,403
  • State/Local grants: $4,257
  • Institutional grants: $8,532
  • Federal loans: $7,260

The university supports 1,358 students with grants and 640 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Murray State University graduates?

Murray State University (MSU) graduates earn a median salary of $38,473 after 6 years and $44,737 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $30,046 (25th percentile) to $66,231 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $71,900 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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