Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Murray State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 46% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 31st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (KY wage index 0.78). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Murray State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $58,970 | $87,573 | +14% | #1 of 14 | #1 | $22,250 |
| Engineering Physics | $58,025 | $86,713 | -3% | #6 of 10 | #3 | $19,521 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $66,418 | $84,705 | -2% | #10 of 19 | #5 | $24,561 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | $79,974 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,608 | $72,462 | -18% | #926 of 966 | #769 | $18,203 |
| Computer Science | $36,938 | $67,173 | -37% | #338 of 349 | #319 | $23,475 |
| Information Science/Studies | $43,178 | $66,204 | -22% | #121 of 148 | #94 | $19,037 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,322 | $64,269 | -16% | #629 of 796 | #447 | $18,318 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,804 | $63,679 | -7% | #647 of 1176 | #321 | $21,061 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $53,085 | $58,862 | -18% | #9 of 9 | #7 | $22,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $38,054 | $58,265 | -8% | #122 of 178 | #75 | $21,235 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | — | $57,764 | +6% | #167 of 610 | #71 | $22,925 |
| Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields | $45,096 | $57,686 | -12% | #4 of 5 | #4 | $17,000 |
| Marketing | $45,042 | $56,780 | -18% | #439 of 516 | #333 | $21,997 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,320 | $56,263 | -32% | #440 of 452 | #415 | $20,500 |
| Public Health | $38,753 | $51,848 | -12% | #155 of 215 | #91 | $20,699 |
| Business/Commerce | $37,285 | $51,818 | -24% | #247 of 271 | #217 | $17,500 |
| Mathematics | — | $51,771 | -26% | #295 of 309 | #258 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | $50,387 | -14% | #197 of 215 | #156 | $19,369 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,041 | $48,437 | -13% | #537 of 660 | #367 | $21,411 |
| Biology | $25,914 | $48,370 | -15% | #728 of 841 | #544 | $24,033 |
| Chemistry | $48,334 | — | — | — | — | $24,593 |
| History | $27,831 | $46,739 | -8% | #331 of 459 | #170 | $21,750 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $28,041 | $45,127 | -11% | #116 of 158 | #79 | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $23,674 | $44,800 | -20% | #76 of 82 | #55 | $20,500 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $28,751 | $43,844 | -3% | #26 of 37 | #13 | $21,417 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,304 | $41,797 | -21% | #429 of 476 | #375 | $23,500 |
| English Language and Literature | $25,543 | $41,383 | -15% | #476 of 576 | #354 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $31,692 | $41,165 | -21% | #409 of 420 | #383 | $23,500 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | $33,536 | $40,839 | -7% | #8 of 11 | #5 | $23,752 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,715 | $38,192 | -8% | #297 of 423 | #170 | $22,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,871 | $38,132 | -20% | #661 of 680 | #618 | $20,801 |
| Music | $34,098 | $36,697 | -14% | #225 of 268 | #166 | $26,731 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $36,197 | $36,657 | -27% | #177 of 177 | #173 | $18,687 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Murray State University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $189,093
- Avg rent near campus: $1,079/mo — vs ~$639/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 42054 (5.0% cap, Kirksey)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
🏆 Where Murray State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $8,436 | $18,180 |
| Room | $5,748 | |
| Board | $4,846 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $26,919 | $36,663 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,594 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,703 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,616 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,423 |
| $110,001+ | $14,282 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Murray State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Murray State University?
How much does it cost to attend Murray State University?
What is the graduation rate at Murray State University?
Is Murray State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Murray State University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Murray State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Murray State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology