Murray State University

www.murraystate.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$8,604

1.99% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$10,182

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

85.7%

10,486 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

10,020

67.1% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

64.1%

773 Graduates

About

Murray State University is a higher education institution located in Calloway County, KY. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Murray State University were General Studies (111 degrees awarded), Registered Nursing (104 degrees), and Other Agriculture, Operations, & Related Sciences (101 degrees).

In 2024, 2,353 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Murray State University. 65.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 34.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,820 degrees), 15.4 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (118 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Murray State University is $8,604, which is $−15,396 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Murray State University is $8,604, which is $15,396 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $10,182.

In 2024, 93% of undergraduate students attending Murray State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 35% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$8,604

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Murray State University was $8,604. The cost of tuition at Murray State University is $−15,396 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Murray State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$10,182

2024 Value

4.56%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Murray State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $10,182. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Murray State University grew by 4.56%.

This chart compares the average net price of Murray State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,564

Room and Board

$900

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Murray State University was of $11,564 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 10.2% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $900. The cost of books and supplies increased by 15.4% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Murray State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

93%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

35%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

93% of undergraduate students at Murray State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.09% with respect to 2023, when 92% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Murray State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Murray State University received 10,486 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 5% annual growth. Out of those 10,486 applicants, 8,984 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 85.7% acceptance rate.

There were 10,020 students enrolled at Murray State University in 2024. 19% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Murray State University has an overall enrollment yield of 17.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

85.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

8,984

Accepted Out of 10,486

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Murray State University was 85.7% (8,984 admissions from 10,486 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 86.2%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants declined by 5%, while admissions declined by 5.54%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Murray State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

19%

Submission Percentage (2024)

291

Scores Submitted (2024)

19% of enrolled first-time students at Murray State University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Murray State University had a total enrollment of 10,020 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Murray State University is 6,724 students and the part-time enrollment is 3,296. This means that 67.1% of students enrolled at Murray State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Murray State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 74.5% White, 5.73% Black or African American, 3.41% Hispanic or Latino, 3.28% Two or More Races, 0.828% Asian, 0.12% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.02% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Murray State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (49.8%), followed by White Male (30.5%) and Black or African American Female (3.28%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (47.4%), followed by White Male (14.8%) and Black or African American Female (3.96%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

67.1%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Murray State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 10,020 students. The full-time enrollment at Murray State University is 6,724 and the part-time enrollment is 3,296. This means that 67.1% of students enrolled at Murray State University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Murray State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

76%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Murray State University was 76%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Murray State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Murray State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
7,468 enrolled students
Black or African American
574 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
342 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Murray State University is 74.5% White, 5.73% Black or African American, 3.41% Hispanic or Latino, 3.28% Two or More Races, 0.828% Asian, 0.12% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.02% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 357 students (3.56%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 725 more women than men received degrees from Murray State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Murray State University is white (1,820 degrees awarded). There were 15.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (118 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Murray State University is General Studies (111 degrees awarded), followed by Registered Nursing (104 degrees) and Other Agriculture, Operations, & Related Sciences (101 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Murray State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Agriculture (283 degrees awarded), English (68 degrees), and Engineering Technologies (127 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Murray State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,553,843 people), Secondary school teachers (529,127 people), Education administrators (288,359 people), Other managers (215,159 people), and Special education teachers (206,512 people).

The most specialized majors at Murray State University in 2024 are Agriculture (283 degrees awarded), English (68 degrees), Engineering Technologies (127 degrees), Education (375 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (95 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Murray State University are Surgeons, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Actuaries, Physicians, and Geoscientists and hydrologists, except geographers

The most specialized majors at Murray State University are Agriculture (283 degrees awarded), English (68 degrees), Engineering Technologies (127 degrees), Education (375 degrees), and Public Administration and Social Service (95 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Murray State University are Elementary & secondary schools (2,919,856 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (386,870 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (209,638 people), Individual & family services (158,704 people), and Computer Systems Design (156,525 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Murray State University.

Most Common (2024)

Liberal Arts & Sciences
12 degrees awarded
Other Agriculture, Operations, & Related Sciences
2 degrees awarded
Industrial Technology
1 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common associates degree concentration at Murray State University was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 12 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from associates degree programs at Murray State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

814

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

1,539

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 814 degrees were awarded to men at Murray State University, which is 0.529 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,539).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Murray State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 87 degrees were awarded to men at Murray State University in General Business, which is 0.989 times less than the 88 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 121 degrees were awarded to men at Murray State University in Other Agriculture, Operations, & Related Sciences, which is 1.66 times more than the 73 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

45%

100% Completion Time

62%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 45% of students graduating from Murray State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 62% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 63% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (68.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Murray State University is Female and White (68.7% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
1,820 degrees awarded
Black or African American
118 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
59 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Murray State University is white (1,820 degrees awarded). There were 15.4 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (118 degrees).

3.57% of degree recipients (84 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
1,232 degrees awarded
White Female
1,229 degrees awarded
White Female
1,216 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Murray State University is white female (1,232 degrees awarded). There were 1 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,229 degrees).

Operations

Murray State University has an endowment valued at nearly $129M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 11M (8.56%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Murray State University had a total salary expenditure of 205M. Murray State University employs 114 Associate professors, 109 Professors and 109 Instructors. Most academics at Murray State University are Male Professor (68), Female Instructor (67), and Male Associate professor (62).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Murray State University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 132 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 120 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 114 employees.

Endowment

$129M

2024 Endowment

11.9%

growth from 2023

Murray State University has an endowment valued at about $129M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Murray State University grew 11.9% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $82.8M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Murray State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$73.5M

2024 Salaries

4.69%

growth from 2023

In 2024, Murray State University paid a median of $73.5M in salaries, which represents 35.8% of their overall expenditure ($205M) and a 4.69% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 2.75% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 1.52% decline between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$32.5M

Instructional Salaries

439

Number of Employees

In 2024, Murray State University paid a total of $32.5M to 439 employees working as instructors, which represents 44.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Murray State University were Office and Administrative Support with 132 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 120 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 114 employees.

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