About Murray State University

Founded in 1922, Murray State University. is a Public college. Located in Kentucky, which is a city setting in Kentucky, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 8,877 full time undergraduate students, and 1,609 full time graduate students.

The Murray State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 446 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Murray State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate85%
Application Deadline
Application Fee40
SAT Range943-1155
ACT Range21-27

Admissions at MSU are considered Less Selective, with ,95% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 23 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

75% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 41% were in the top quarter, and 17% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Murray State University.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
55%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
63%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
25%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
74%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
29%
“We bought the gear”
51%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
15%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
23%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
72%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
14%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
42%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
42%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
16%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
8%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
55%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
6%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
14%
“Sometimes, but not often”
63%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
25%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
74%
“I feel extremely safe”
20%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
29%
“We bought the gear”
51%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
15%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
23%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
11%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
72%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
14%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
42%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
42%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
16%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
8%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    206 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    155 Students rated off-campus housing 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    235 Students rated campus food 3.5 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    244 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    244 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    244 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    244 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 51 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    243 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 53 % gave the school a 5.0.

Murray State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Murray State University?

69 Students rated Murray State University

Madison - 03/31/2024

I love the big campus look in a small city. So many things are close or in walking distance. The faculty is very friendly and approachable. You will feel like you belong in a safe and friendly university community. Murray State focuses on student success and want to make sure that students are ready for the career they have chosen.

Jaden - 03/23/2024

Murray has a lot of issues. For one they barely take care of living conditions on campus. Dorms are falling apart and housing is limited. Parking is awful due to limited parking spaces. A lot of food poisoning from Winslow Dining Hall. The buildings are not upkept and need renovations and maitenence. The school would rather make it look pretty on the outside by buying million dollar statues and planting flowers rather than taking to the time to maintain the buildings. The staff in the financial aid department refuse to help. A lot of people have to drop out due to financial aid being taken away and the department refusing to work with them on it. There is also the lawsuit about paying people off to silence them that the university just lost and had to pay over $400,000. Overall Murray State University needs to take a long look at itself because if it keps doing what it is now then in a few years they will not be around anymore.

Taygan - 02/08/2024

When I visited the university the staff was very friendly. My tour guide was insightful and knowledgeable. I really liked the dorms and felt safe while there. I was not a big fan of the parking. The parking seemed a congested. I was able to meet with a director of business and he was very knowledgeable and answered a lot of questions.

Xavier - 01/06/2024

I am a full-time student at Murray State University in Murray, Ky. My first impression of the school was that the campus is just big enough to enjoy without being so big that you get lost. They are regionally accredited. The tuition is average for the state. The school offers scholarships to help students financially. Every teacher and staff member is very helpful and responds quickly to questions and concerns. Murray State offers an unlimited meal plan and the cafeteria has a wide variety of foods that taste decent. There is a Chick-fil-A and a Starbucks on campus also. The campus feels safe overall and the police station is located on the edge of its border. The classes are a reasonable size and the workload is challenging without being overwhelming. Students are required to live on campus for their first two years. I share a small dorm room with one roommate. It is older than other universities, and the heat/AC system needs to be updated, but we make do. The wifi is top quality. The whole floor shares a large restroom/shower. Other campus housing is set up differently, such as private rooms or private restrooms, so you can pick what works for you. There are a lot of fraternities and sororities students can join. We have several sports teams to join as well. There is always a fun game or event going on campus to keep you entertained. Murray State has a rodeo team and an equestrian team. They have a great ROTC program. The parking is a bit cramped. It is hard to find a spot close to where you need to be. The town of Murray surrounding the campus is very limited in its selection of restaurants and shopping, but some are within walking distance from Murray State. I would recommend any high school senior interested in a medium-sized, moderately priced school to take a tour.

Murray State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Murray State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Murray State University is 85%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Don't stress out about college. There are tons of people who can help you with the transition and they are very helpful. Classes aren't as hard as you think they would be, at least your first semester. Take classes you need to take, but also take some that you will be very interested in or you will be dreading going to class every morning. Make sure you get involved on campus. No matter what interests you, there is most likely a club, team, organization, etc. that you can get involved in. You will make friends, even if you don't know anyone who is attending the same school. There are thousands of people on campus. At least one will like you for you.

    Read all 351 answers

  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    My school is perfect.

    Read all 73 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates were hard working, studing all night, and making the grade people that they have gotten really good jobs when they graduated.

    Read all 71 answers

  5. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The people/students who are potential college graduates are well driven and organized. One must may not be intemidated by others but must have faith and be well rounded. One must be able to attend class and be able to be self taught. Ones that are not goal orienated and willing to take on challeges are not fit for college.

    Read all 61 answers

  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about my school is probably the walk to and from classes. However, it's still not too bad of a walk everyday.

    Read all 61 answers

  7. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Nothing.

    Read all 59 answers

  8. What's unique about your campus?

    The small classes allow you to absorb everything easily if you want to.

    Read all 59 answers

  9. What kind of person should attend this school?

    This school is amazing for the people who love the small town feel on campus. It is a short walk to anywhere on campus and there are tons of things to do. The school offers any activity you could think of and it is incredibly easy to get involved and make the most out of your time in college so it is awesome for anyone who likes to have fun, no matter how you have fun. Murray State would be a great college for anyone to attend, which is why I especially love going here.

    Read all 57 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The community! Murray State is a smaller school located in a really small town. It is really easy to get to know people at school and in the local community. Our campus is beautiful and the classes are great. I really brag about how pretty it is and how many nice and fun people I have met and befriended. With the combintation of a pretty campus, good community and great schooling, why wouldn't I brag?

    Read all 52 answers

  11. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing is getting money and scholarships, and communicating with the financial aid offices to get clear answers.

    Read all 47 answers

  12. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Murray State is truly a home away from home! Not only are you in a home environment with your fellow students and faculty, but the community also serves as a big brother to all the students at Murray State. I am in a sorority and we have adult advisors that help us with anything like finding a job, homework, a hot meal, being sick etc. My parents have felt much more at ease with me having a few people almost like extended family to count on in emergencies.!

    Read all 47 answers

  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Murray State is probably best known for its basketball team. They are awesome! The games are intense and so exciting to be a part of in the stands. The school may also be best known for its residential college set up. Instead of dorms, students living on campus live in residential colleges. Each building acts like its own college, with its own college head and intermural sports teams that compete against each other.

    Read all 42 answers

  14. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    One of the biggest things on campus is Greek life. We have a very active Greek life on campus. As well as many different religious groups that are pretty popular. We have a weekly movie night of foreign films which is widely favored.

    Read all 12 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Coming from a suburb of St. Louis, many people believe Murray State is for people who want to engage their careers with Agriculture and farming. I don't think many people even know the great education Murray State provides and the many times Murray State has been rated as a top school in the nation with the lowest tuition price. Yes, a lot of people that go to school here are from the south and yes, some do fit the stereotype, but most of the people that go here are from either the area or one of the states surrounding Kentucky. There are a lot of right wing conservatives and there is a distinct indication that you are in the bible belt. There is a club and personalities that fit everyone's needs. Honestly, I don't think that I would have been happier going anywhere else.

    Read all 11 answers

  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Murray is a pretty campus in a non-existent city. It is utterly a college town and a small one at that.

    Read all 10 answers

  17. What are the academics like at your school?

    The classes are small and some are challenging, most professors will know your name.

    Read all 8 answers

  18. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    To learn the skills needed to start my own business.

    Read all 3 answers

  19. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    For the most part, yes, the stereotypes are correct. Although there is a fair amount of foreign people here too.

    Read all 3 answers

  20. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Country Hicks

    Read all 2 answers

  21. When you step off campus what do you see?

    Murray Kentucky is a small area. When you venture off campus there are chain restaurants and some small private owned shops. We do not have a mall, but there is a movie theater, bowling ally, and also a skating rink. There is also downtown Murray where there are more antique shops and places to eat.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

59%

female

41%

male

8,877

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,609

Total Grad Students

39%

Out-Of-State

59%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

200

Student Organizations

15

Fraternities

7

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

29%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
2%
% White or Caucasian
81%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

99% of students attending Murray State University receive some sort of financial aid. 36% were awarded federal grants. While 55% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$22,680

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,237

Books and Supplies

$8,588

Room and Board

32,505

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$7,421
$30 - $48K
$8,708
$48 - $75K
$10,816
$75 - $110K
$13,745
$110K & UP
$13,293

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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