Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky · Public · 6,688 undergraduates · murraystate.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
84%
of 8,099 applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
970 to 1170
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$26,970Est.Estimate
$32,660 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at Murray State University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Murray State University uses a weighted or recalculated GPA, so its own calculation may differ slightly from yours.
Your admission chances
84% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$28,660
a year in 2027-28, from a $32,660 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1060
Send your score
About 20% of freshmen here didn't send a score. We estimate their typical SAT at about 910, and yours is above it.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
- Admission is GPA-based: unweighted GPA 2.75+ admitted; 2.0-2.74 holistic review. Applicants self-report GPA on the application.
Source: First-Time Freshmen Admission requirements | Murray State University · Checked October 17, 2026
Who gets in
84%
of applicants were admitted: 6,814 of 8,099 for fall 2025.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen (fall 2025)
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above. 15% of them sent SAT scores and 84% sent ACT scores.
SAT total 970 to 1170
Reading and Writing 490 to 600
Math 470 to 580
ACT composite 19 to 26
How enrolled freshmen scored on the SAT
- 1400 to 16002.2%
- 1200 to 139920%
- 1000 to 119946%
- 800 to 99930%
- 600 to 7991.7%
- 400 to 5990%
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
High school GPA of enrolled freshmen
Average GPA: 3.61
- 4.013%
- 3.75 to 3.9931%
- 3.50 to 3.7420%
- 3.25 to 3.4913%
- 3.00 to 3.2410%
- 2.50 to 2.997.2%
- Below 2.501.3%
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$26,970
a year, in state
$32,660
a year, out of state (tuition $16,530)
- Tuition (in state)$10,840
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$7,357
- $30,001 to $48,000$4,208
- $48,001 to $75,000$4,615
- $75,001 to $110,000$10,672
- Over $110,000$13,409
Financial aid
52%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
$13,734
average need-based grant to freshmen, money you don't repay
25%
of freshmen got merit aid without financial need, $12,890 on average
- FAFSA
- Required for need-based aid. It's the free federal aid form.
- CSS Profile
- Not required. Only the FAFSA is needed.
- Also asks for
- Other checked, not specified
Source: Common Data Set 2025-2026
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Trustee Scholarship
$10,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.80 to 4.00 GPA, 1450+ SAT or 33+ ACT
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours a semester), and complete 24 credit hours each school year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
DetailsRegents Scholarship
$7,500 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.80 to 4.00 GPA, 1300 to 1440 SAT or 28 to 32 ACT
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours a semester), and complete 24 credit hours each school year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
DetailsProvost Scholarship
$5,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.80 to 4.00 GPA, no ACT or SAT requirement
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours a semester), and complete 24 credit hours each school year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
DetailsCARR Scholarship
$4,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.50 to 3.79 GPA
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours a semester), and complete 24 credit hours each school year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
Details
Show 4 more scholarships
University Scholarship
$2,500 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.00 to 3.49 GPA
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours a semester), and complete 24 credit hours each school year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
DetailsOpportunity Scholarship
$1,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 2.75 to 2.99 GPA
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours a semester), and complete 24 credit hours each school year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
DetailsGSP, GSA, GSE and CHA Scholarships
Full tuition
Automatic · In-state students
- 3.50+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, participant in GSP, GSA, GSE or CHA; ACT composite
To keep it: a 2.75 college GPA, stay a full-time student, and complete 24 credit hours each year; it renews for up to 8 semesters.
DetailsPresidential Fellowship
Full cost of attendance
Competitive · Application required
- 3.70+ GPA, 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT, General Scholarship Application by Dec 1, 2026; essay, group interview at Honors Day, final individual interview
Deadline: December 1, 2026. To keep it: a 3.2 college GPA, stay a full-time student, complete 24 credit hours each year, and take part in the Honors College and in research.
Details
Kentucky programs for residents
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
State program · In-state students
$36/year bonus (added to base award)
- 2.75+ GPA, 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 15 / SAT 830-870; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 880+ SAT or 16+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 16 / SAT 880-910; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 920+ SAT or 17+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 17 / SAT 920-950; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 960+ SAT or 18+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 18 / SAT 960-980; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 19 / SAT 990-1020; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 20 / SAT 1030-1050; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 21 / SAT 1060-1090; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 22 / SAT 1100-1120; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 23 / SAT 1130-1150; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 24 / SAT 1160-1190; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 25 / SAT 1200-1220; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1230+ SAT or 26+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 26 / SAT 1230-1250; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 27 / SAT 1260-1290; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 28+ / SAT 1300-1600; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, Base award (GPA only; no test component); Graduate of certified KY high school; meet KEES curriculum requirements; not a convicted felon, from Kentucky
- 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, Homeschool / non-certified school / KY GED graduates (test-only award); KY homeschool or non-certified school graduate, or KY GED earned between ages 18 and 23
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
39 of 39
Earn credit with a score of 3
39 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,080Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 111 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 112 |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ART 211 |
| Biology | 3 | 7 | BIO 100, 101, & 115 |
| Biology | 5 | 11 | BIO 100, 101, 115, & 216 |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 5 | MAT 250 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 5 | MAT 250 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 10 | MAT 250 & 308 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 5 | CHE 105 |
| Chemistry | 5 | 4 | CHE 201 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | CHN 101 & 102 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 9 | CHN 101, 102 & 201 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | CHN 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POL 252 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | CSC 145 |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CSC 101 |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 101 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 101 |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | 4 | ENG 105 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 101 |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 | 3 | ENG 201 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | BIO 103 |
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIS 201 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | FRE 101 & 102 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 9 | FRE 101, 102 & 201 |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | FRE 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | GER 101 & 102 |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 9 | GER 101, 102 & 201 |
| German Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | GER 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | EES 110 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | MLA 101 & 102 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 9 | MLA 101, 102 & 201 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | MLA 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | JPN 101 & 102 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 9 | JPN 101, 102 & 201 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | JPN 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| Latin | 3 | 3 | MLA 101 |
| Latin | 4 | 6 | MLA 101 & 102 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 230 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 231 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUS 170 or MUS 109/110 |
| Music Theory | 5 | 6 | MUS 170/173 or MUS 109/110 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 6 | PHY 130/132 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 3 | PHY 130 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 3 | PHY 132 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHY 255 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHY 235 |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | MAT150 | |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSY 180 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | Capstone Research |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | Capstone Seminar |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | SPA 101 & 102 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 9 | SPA 101,102 & 201 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | SPA 101,102, 201 & 202 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 306 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 6 | SPA 306 & 401 |
| Statistics | 3 | 4 | STA 135 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POL 140 |
| United States History | 3 | 3 | HIS 221 |
| United States History | 5 | 6 | HIS 221/222 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | CIV 202 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
60%
Come back for a second year
76%
Typical earnings
$48,482
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Murray State University$41,164
- All colleges$53,234
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 32 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Murray State University. The Murray State University logo is a trademark of the college.