Morehead State University
Morehead State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Morehead State University at a Glance
Morehead State University (MSU) is a public university in Morehead, Kentucky, United States. The university began as Morehead Normal School, which opened its doors in 1887. The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, a two-year residential early college high school on the university's campus, was established in 2014.
1887
139 years old
$77M
$76.9 million (2025)
8,401
7,941 undergrad · 460 grad
405
700 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Morehead State University
Official admissions pageTesting policy
Is Morehead State University Worth It?
Morehead State University offers moderate value at $9,793/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $43,197, which is 20% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $22,250 representing 52% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Morehead State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 155 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #27 | Morehead State University | 55 | $9,793 | $43,197 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Morehead State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in KY.
Best Programs at Morehead State University
The highest-earning program at Morehead State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $16,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Morehead State University earns $59,200, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $16,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $23,667 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,793/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,200 | $59,200 | $23,667 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $53,500 | $53,500 | $20,483 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $53,100 | $53,100 | $22,192 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $44,900 | $44,900 | $23,293 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $34,200 | $34,200 | $19,594 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $32,900 | $32,900 | $25,648 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $32,600 | $32,600 | $24,099 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,900 | $31,900 | $25,177 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,200 | $31,200 | $25,374 |
| Music | $29,300 | $29,300 | $27,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $28,900 | $28,900 | $24,965 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,400 | $28,400 | $25,452 |
| Sociology | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,247 |
| Social Work | $27,800 | $27,800 | $25,823 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $27,000 | $27,000 | $24,173 |
| Agriculture, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $23,560 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,600 | $26,600 | $22,430 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $26,300 | $26,300 | $26,850 |
| Mathematics | $26,200 | $26,200 | $17,419 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $20,500 | $20,500 | $24,678 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $16,100 | $16,100 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in KY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Morehead, KY
- Student Body
- 4,578 students
- Admission Rate
- 77%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,793
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,197
- Median Student Debt
- $22,250