Academic programs and initiatives offered at Murray State University align with new study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce

MURRAY, Ky. – A recent report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) emphasizes the importance of a college degree and shares that economic opportunity will increasingly favor workers with higher levels of education and training. The full report, titled “The Future of Good Jobs: Projections through 2031” is available at https://cew.georgetown.edu/goodjobsprojections2031. 

“Our numbers are very clear: Bachelor’s and graduate degrees are going to dominate,” said Artem Gulish, senior federal policy adviser at CEW and co-author of the report. “They’ll require much more of those quantitative and analytical skills. The organizational and business complexities are going to grow with greater technological capabilities.”

The report shares that “currently, 81 percent of good jobs go to workers with either a bachelor’s degree or middle-skills education and training. That share is expected to increase to 85 percent by 2031.” 

The report mentions further that “our projections show that the number of good jobs will grow by 21 percent, from 72.6 million in 2021 to 87.8 million in 2031.”

“Murray State University provides a quality education that equips our students with the skills, knowledge and experiences to succeed in an ever-evolving world following graduation,” Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson said. “This recent report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce is significant and affirms the importance of securing a postsecondary education as it relates to earnings potential and economic opportunities. Through our world-class faculty and staff, we will continue to emphasize access, affordability and quality in order to best support our students.”

• Murray State offers 148 academic programs from agriculture, business and music to cybersecurity, healthcare, engineering, computer science and education. Individuals can view a full list of academic programs and learn more about career, compensation, industry and employment information at murraystate.edu/programs.

• In addition to a variety of undergraduate programs and degrees, the University offers many graduate programs and online program offerings. Additional information is available at murraystate.edu/graduate and murraystate.edu/online. 

• Murray State offers both in-person academic programs and 100 percent online programs at its Murray campus, as well as regional campuses in Fort Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Paducah. 

• Murray State’s Racers Finish adult degree completion program is available for eligible individuals who began their college career at Murray State, but have not completed their bachelor’s degree. Within the program is a Racers Finish scholarship for qualified students. Individuals can visit murraystate.edu/racersfinish to learn more. 

The University has been recognized nationally within the past year as a best value for students seeking a college degree by Washington Monthly in its “Best Bang for the Buck” rankings, as well as spotlighted for both quality and value by Forbes and U.S. News & World Report.  

“As the adage says, ‘People go where they know they are prepared for and cared for’. At Murray State University, we are very grateful and fortunate to have wonderful faculty and staff who are leaders in their fields, committed to academic excellence and importantly, offer their personalized support of our students not just throughout their academic journey, but beyond graduation as well,” Murray State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tim Todd said.

Based on the University’s most recent reports, a record $136 million was awarded in financial aid and scholarships, with 99 percent of first-year students receiving financial aid or scholarships.