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Murray , KY
Murray State University is a public university located in Murray, Kentucky. Founded in 1922, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines. With a strong emphasis on liberal arts education, the university provides students with a well-rounded educational experience that combines academic learning with practical skills development.
Murray State University prides itself on its student-centered approach to education. The university promotes a supportive and inclusive community, encouraging students to engage in various extracurricular activities and experiential learning opportunities. Students at Murray State benefit from the small class sizes, which enable better interaction with professors and foster a collaborative learning environment. The university also offers resources such as academic advising, career services, and research opportunities to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.
The campus of Murray State University is spread over 260 acres and features modern facilities and state-of-the-art technology. The university has several academic colleges, including the College of Business and the College of Education and Human Services, among others, offering a wide range of programs to suit different interests and career paths. Murray State's athletic teams, known as the Racers, compete in the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley Conference.
Overall, Murray State University provides a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that prepares students for success in their chosen fields. With its emphasis on academic excellence, engaged learning, and personal growth, Murray State University offers a well-rounded education that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Located in Murray, KY, Murray State University is a public university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 85%. The freshman retention rate at Murray State University is 75.23% and the six-year graduation rate is 65%.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about Murray State University.
Quick Facts
8,281
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
65%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Read on to learn some essential info about admission at Murray State University.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 8,984 in 2025. Murray State University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.
Test Scores
18% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 82% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 8.69, 33.91 between 24-29, 43.93 in the range between 18-23, 13.31 between 12-17, and 0.16 between 6-11.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.58. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Murray State University.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Murray State University was 75.23%, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 65%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the right place for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 10,035 students.
That year, the institution had 35% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 8,281 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 644 international students. The school admitted a total of 523 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,518 male and 4,121 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 149 full-time graduate male and 350 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 55 Asian students and 411 Afro-American students in 2025. 230 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 240 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 226 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Murray State University estimated tuition price.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $10,320. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $15,672. If you are an international student at Murray State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition was $15,672, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $400 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $15,672 | $400 | $16,072 |
| In-State | $10,320 | $400 | $10,720 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $950.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Murray State University was $12,000 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $6,680, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,320 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,000 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 950 |
| Total Expense | $ 23,270 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial help for students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at Murray State University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 1,164 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,545.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 3,936 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Murray State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 4,115. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $14,377,899, and state $11,691,259. The students of Murray State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $12,552,201, and external in the amount of $6,121,205.
$10,764
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,114 students overall (including freshmen) at Murray State University in 2025. 366 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $14,377,899 while the state aid is $164,057. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $19,140,664. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $6,466,999 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Murray State University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. According to the most recent information, there are 536 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 258 men and 278 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Murray State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Murray State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at Murray State University.
Its campus is 253 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to recently gathered data, there are 132 open-membership organizations at Murray State University. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 6 and female students 5. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is MSU Student Ambassadors, followed by International Student Organization and National Panhellenic Council. Other popular student organizations at this school are Student Government Association and Racer Band.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Murray State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? Murray State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Murray State University provides a number of services needed for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Murray State University.
All in all, campus life at Murray State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Murray State University.
Career Counselling
There are a library and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
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Murray State University is located in Murray, KY.
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Murray State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Murray State University is 85%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Murray State University is 75.23%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.