MSU Quick Facts
Mission & Quick Facts
Mission Statement
Murray
State University serves as a nationally recognized residential
comprehensive university, with a strong extended campus and online presence, offering high-quality associate, baccalaureate,
masters, specialist and doctorate degrees. Academic programs are
offered in the core areas of arts and sciences, agriculture, business,
health and human services, teacher education, communications,
engineering and applied technologies, and nursing. Teaching, research,
and service excellence are core values and guiding principles that
promote economic development and the well-being of the citizens of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky and the region.
Murray State University places a high premium on academic outreach,
collaborative relationships with alumni, the public schools, business
and industry, governmental agencies, and other colleges and universities
at home and abroad. Murray State University prepares graduates to
function in a culturally diverse, technologically oriented society and
increasingly interdependent world. The University is committed to
international education as an integral dimension of the university
experience.
Murray State University emphasizes student-centered learning and
educational experiences that include first year experience, the honors
program, internships, study-abroad programs, service learning, research
and creative projects, residential colleges, and student organizations.
In sum, Murray State University fosters an exciting and challenging learning environment.
National rankings
U.S. News Best College for 21 consecutive years. The 2012 rankings place Murray State in the top 10 public universities in the South, among the top 25 of both public and private schools, and the 14th-ranked public regional university in the nation.
Forbes Top College for four consecutive years. In addition to being named to the 2011 America’s Top Colleges list, Forbes also designated Murray State as one of “America’s Top 100 Best College Buys.”
G.I. Jobs magazine once again ranked MSU a “2012 Military Friendly School.” The list honors the top 20 percent of all colleges, universities and trade
schools nationwide that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans
as students.
The Chronicle of Higher Education named Murray State one of its “2011 Great Colleges to Work For.”
The designation specifically recognizes MSU for “Confidence in Senior Leadership” and “Professional/Career Development Programs.”
Basics
Location: Murray, Ky.
Founded: 1922
Type: 4-year, state-supported public university
Colors: Navy blue and gold (white accent)
Nickname: Racers (The MSU varsity baseball team nickname is the Thoroughbreds or 'Breds.)
Enrollment
Total: 10,832
Undergraduate: 8,891
Graduate: 1,941
First-time freshmen
Enrolled: 1,626
Average high school GPA: 3.31
Our freshmen class is from 24 states, 9 foreign countries and 71 Kentucky counties.
First-time freshmen in residential housing: 1,119 (73%)
Student body and faculty
The campus is 60% female and 40% male.
African-American students comprise 7% of the student body.
Fall 2011 freshman returning for the fall 2012 semester: 70%
Our student body represents 45 states, 48 foreign countries and 96 Kentucky counties.
Undergraduate student/faculty ratio: 15 to 1
Eighty-two percent (82%) of full-time instructional faculty have
earned the highest degree in their fields.
Academics
Associate programs: 6
Bachelor’s programs: 65
Master’s and specialist programs: 39
Doctoral programs: 1
Average undergraduate class size: 20
Most popular undergraduate fields: - Nursing
- Animal Health Technology
- Elementary Education
- Business Administration
- Biology
Other facts and statistics
Murray State University is a tax-supported institution composed of five academic colleges, a
school of agriculture and a school of nursing.
MSU also operates the Pullen Farm, Hancock Biological Station and The Arboretum at Murray State.
There are eight residential colleges on campus.
The main campus is comprised of 74 major buildings and two libraries.
The University extends its services to its space bound students through its regional campuses in
Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Henderson, and also through its distance learning
programs.
Murray State has a diverse student body with 685 international students coming from 51
foreign countries.
Out-of-state students make up 29% of the student population.
674 students started their careers at Murray State as transfer students.
The six-year graduation rate of MSU’s baccalaureate cohort of 2005 is 52.4%.
Budget allocations for 2011-2012 were 46% for Instruction ($55,337,577), 1% for Research
($980,495), and 12% for Student Services ($14,702,878).
MSU awards over $55 million annually in financial aid and scholarships.