Murray, KY · Private University
Is Murray State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$44,737
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,708
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,452
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$77,808
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.30x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
59.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$9,121
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Murray State University graduates earn $263 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Murray State University ranked by graduate earnings
18 graduates
85 graduates
27 graduates
30 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Murray State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Murray State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians: $79,974) and the lowest (History: $27,831) is $52,143/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/TechniciansBest ROI(1yr data) | $79,974 | 4.1x |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $78,567 | 4.0x |
| Computer Science | $73,631 | 3.8x |
| Engineering Physics | $67,485 | 3.5x |
| Information Science/Studies | $66,078 | 3.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,810 | 3.2x |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $61,881 | 3.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,370 | 2.5x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $48,334 | 2.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,090 | 2.5x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,651 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,889 | 2.4x |
| Music | $45,349 | 2.3x |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $44,944 | 2.3x |
| Marketing | $42,692 | 2.2x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $41,664 | 2.1x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,341 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,665 | 2.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $40,465 | 2.1x |
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other | $40,315 | 2.1x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $40,203 | 2.1x |
| Biology, General | $40,116 | 2.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,328 | 2.0x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $38,753 | 2.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,517 | 1.8x |
| Social Work | $34,856 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,508 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,467 | 1.7x |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | $31,553 | 1.6x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management(1yr data) | $28,751 | 1.5x |
| HistoryLowest(1yr data) | $27,831 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Murray State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $44,737 10 years after starting, $263 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.