Murray State Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 85.68%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1060. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,900
- Out-of-State Tuition: $19,836
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at Murray State:
- Total Enrollment: 10,020, including 1,796 online students
- 7,851 Undergraduate, 2,169 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 36.9% men, 63.1% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 61%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 76%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 154 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 36 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 44 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
Murray State Overview
Murray State University (Murray State) is a four-year, public school located in Murray, KY. Murray State University was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Master's College and University (larger programs)) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The Murray State's tuition & fees is $9,900 for Kentucky residents and $19,836 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 93% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $11,179.
The school has a total enrollment of 10,020 and the students to faculty ratio is 17 to 1 (5.88%).
Murray State's acceptance rate is 85.68% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 17.39%. The median SAT score is 1060 and the ACT score is 23.
Murray State ranked 7th in Kentucky Colleges rankings. Murray State University is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Murray State University is $9,900 for in-state students and $19,836 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $10,683 for in-state students and $10,683 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $10,096 for Kentucky residents and $20,228 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $11,008 for Kentucky residents and $11,008 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,900 | $19,836 |
|---|
| Graduate | $10,683 | $10,683 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $10,096 | $20,228 |
|---|
| Graduate | $11,008 | $11,008 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Murray State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at Murray State
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Murray State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Murray State