Murray State University
Murray State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Murray State University at a Glance
Murray State University (MSU) is a public university in Murray, Kentucky, United States. In addition to the main campus in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky, Murray State operates extended campuses offering upper-level and graduate courses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson.
1922
104 years old
$135M
$135 million (2025)
9,932
8,217 undergrad · 1,715 grad
43 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Murray State University
Official admissions page$40
Is Murray State University Worth It?
Murray State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $9,096/year, it's priced 55% below average, while graduates go on to earn $44,737 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: Murray State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Murray State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #17 of 171 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #17 | Murray State University | 74 | $9,096 | $44,737 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Murray 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 Murray State University
The highest-earning program at Murray State University is Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians at $63,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduate from Murray State University earns $63,400, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,600. 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: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $27,950 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,096/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $63,400 | $63,400 | $27,950 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,100 | $57,100 | $18,500 |
| Computer Science | $51,000 | $51,000 | N/A |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $49,800 | $49,800 | $21,500 |
| Information Science/Studies | $49,400 | $49,400 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,300 | $39,300 | $22,500 |
| Biology, General | $34,900 | $34,900 | $22,959 |
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other | $34,100 | $34,100 | $19,500 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $33,300 | $33,300 | $25,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $33,000 | $33,000 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,100 | $32,100 | $21,074 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,900 | $31,900 | $20,878 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $18,658 |
| Marketing | $30,500 | $30,500 | $19,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,300 | $30,300 | $17,612 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $22,500 |
| Social Work | $28,300 | $28,300 | $24,998 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | $25,700 | $25,700 | $22,289 |
| Music | $24,200 | $24,200 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,600 | $22,600 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Murray, KY
- Student Body
- 6,688 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,096
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,737
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500