Murray State University
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.
Murray State University is a public university located in Murray, KY. Its campus is 261 acres in size. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 84%. The freshman retention rate at Murray State University is 77% and the six-year graduation rate is 62%.
Learn more about what Murray State University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
7,756
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
84%
Acceptance Rate
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
62%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Discover some important facts about admission policy and requirements at Murray State University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 8,604 in 2023. Murray State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
17% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 84% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 10.47, 31.76 between 24-29, 41.88 in the range between 18-23, and 15.88 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2023 was 24 while the average GPA was 3.56. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Murray State University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 552 and an average SAT Math score of 532.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Murray State University was 77%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 62%.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the best place for you is not a simple task. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Murray State University in 2023 was 9,489.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 34. There was a total of 7,756 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 391 international students. The school reported to have a total of 510 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,410 male and 3,958 female full-time students in 2023. 149 full-time graduate men and 350 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 60, while the number of Afro-American students was 393. 196 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 193 as multirace. The school also had 2 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 9 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 253 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 details you should know about the cost of attendance for Murray State University.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Murray State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $8,040, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $17,316 for students coming from out of state. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $14,058. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $200 in 2023.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $17,316 | $200 | $17,516 |
| In-State | $8,040 | $200 | $8,240 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,260.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2023, room and board cost at Murray State University amounted to $9,868 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $6,064, according to the data from 2023.
| Tuition | $ 8,040 |
| Room and Board | $ 9,868 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,260 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,168 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Murray State University.
According to the most recent data, 969 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $13,794.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 3,729 students who obtained 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 total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 3,962. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $11,602,285, and state $7,718,597. The students of Murray State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $11,183,385, and external in the amount of $4,785,207.
$9,412
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 993 students overall (including freshmen) at Murray State University in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 297 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $11,602,285 while the state aid is $199,983. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $17,055,254. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $4,999,953 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Murray State University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 461 faculty members. This number included 229 men and 232 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Murray State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some info about social life at Murray State University.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 150. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 16 and female students 15. The student organization that has the biggest membership is MSU Student Ambassadors, followed by International Student Organization and National Panhellenic Council. Other popular organizations at Murray State University are Student Government Association and Racer Band.
Those who like music can join the Murray State University band or chorus. If you have an interest in acting, there's a drama club you can be a part of. You have a talent for media and communication? Murray State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Murray State University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center 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
At Murray State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, 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. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
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 uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Murray State University is 84%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Murray State University is 77%.
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.