Admissions
Ready to become a Racer?
Start your journey.
We are leaders. We are family. We are Racers.
Recognized as one of America’s best values, Murray State offers a high-quality, high-impact, life-defining college experience that prepares you for personal and professional success. Our students are forward-moving and future-thinking. Racers have a relentless pursuit to any goal, like our Thoroughbred racehorse namesakes. A special living and learning community is waiting for you at Murray State.
Study what you love
When you choose Murray State University, you get endless opportunities to pursue your passion. We make sure of it with 148 academic programs that offer small class sizes, individualized attention and hands-on experiences. No matter your major, our supportive faculty and staff are here to help you succeed.
Murray State at a glance
10,035 enrolled
The Racer family stretches far and wide. Our students represent 53 countries and 49 states. But, we still value small class sizes with a 17:1 student to faculty ratio.
Nationally recognized
We're proud to be named a 'Best Bang for the Buck' by Washington Monthly, a top-tier university by U.S. News & World Report for over 30 straight years, and one of 'America's Top Colleges' by Forbes.
80,000+ Alumni
We've accumulated a lot of alumni since 1922. Murray State alumni are spread all over the globe, but they are always Racers at heart.
#1 Best Value in the South
99% of freshmen students received a scholarship or financial aid, based on our most recent reports. We also have the highest percentage of undergraduate students who graduate with no known student loan debt among all Kentucky public institutions.
How much will it cost?
Academic Achievement Scholarships
Murray State University offers scholarships based on GPA (Trustee and Regents scholarships require ACT/SAT scores) ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for new students.
Learn more about applying for scholarships
TRUSTEE
4.00 to 3.80
AND
33+ ACT or 1450+ SAT
$10,000
REGENTS
4.00 to 3.80
AND
28-32 ACT or 1300-1440 SAT
$8,000
PROVOST
4.00 to 3.80
No ACT/SAT required
$5,000
CARR
3.79 to 3.50
$4,000
UNIVERSITY
3.49 to 3.30
$3,000
DEANS
3.29 to 3.00
$2,500
OPPORTUNITY
2.99 to 2.75
$1,000
Goals, dreams, outcomes
Murray State’s Career Services team is committed to helping you land the internship or post-graduation job of your dreams. Polish your resume with the writing team, find your new look with free professional attire from the Career Closet, and check out internship opportunities from nearly 4,300 employers through Handshake, Career Services’s online career management platform.
One Racer family
Murray State is a place where you belong. We welcome Racers from all walks of life, socioeconomic background, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability and more. Murray State has been named #1 in campus safety initiatives by Safe Campus and the city of Murray was named among the top 50 safest college towns by Safe Wise. We offer both in-person and virtual 24/7 mental health services for our students, as well as on-campus health services with medical personnel. As part of the Racer family, you will join a community that is inclusive, friendly, accessible and where you can truly be yourself.
"I became a Racer because Murray State has a lot of opportunities for me. I’m very excited about meeting new friends and taking part in new experiences on campus."
Customize your experience
College is a completely unique time in your life that you’ll remember forever. So why not make it exactly what you want it to be? Murray State offers something for everyone with a variety of ways to have fun and get involved.
Experiences at a Glance
15 NCAA teams
Students enjoy attending all kinds of games and competitions, including our nationally-recognized men’s basketball team! One of our most famous Racers, Ja Morant, is an NBA All-Star for the Memphis Grizzlies.
100 years of making traditions
All Campus Sing, Campus Lights, Racer One rounding the track, tacking shoes to The Shoe Tree... Murray State traditions are one-of-a-kind.
25 intramural teams and sports
Compete with your residential college or your favorite student organization. Sports include basketball, softball, flag football, soccer, badminton, volleyball, and so much more.
8 Residential Colleges
Consider it your tight-knit community within the larger University community. You'll meet fellow students, have a lot of fun, and get connected to faculty.
170+ student organizations
Murray State boasts organizations for archery, rowing, debate, social justice, the LGBTQIA community, honor societies, professional societies and so much more. With over 170 options, you're bound to find the organization that's right for you.