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Murray State University

Murray State University is located in Calloway County, Kentucky as a public institution that was founded in 1922 and which is 7 miles north of Tennessee. With over 12,000 students, it has been recognized by the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” as one of the top regional universities in the U.S. for 24 straight years and it has consistently been among the top-ranked public regional universities in Kentucky. They also operate extended campuses offering upper level and graduate courses in Paducah, Hopkinsville, Madisonville in addition to the main campus.

Murray State University has over 1,000+ international students from 66 countries around the globe who are very active on the campus. They lead several international student groups, including the International Student Organization, the Korean Student Association and the Indian Student Association. They also plan events throughout the year to teach others about the foods, politics, religions and cultures around the world.

The international population on-campus allows Murray State University students to develop relationships with people from around the world. This provides global networking opportunities to the students and it adds another dimension to their education as these students learn about the world from their peers, and every major continent is represented on-campus.

Why choose Murray State University?

Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Murray State University is 16:1, and about 60% of its classes has fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Murray State University include: General Studies; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant; Business/Commerce, General; and Elementary Education and Teaching. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 71.8 percent.

Cost and Financial Aid
At Murray State University, 61 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and scholarship or grant award. They provide students advice on how they can fund their education and decrease their costs or use the U.S. News 529 Finder to choose the best tax-advantaged college investment account for you.

Current rankings

  • MSU highest ranked comprehensive university in Kentucky and second overall in Kentucky. – 2015 – Money Magazine
  • MSU ranked “Best Bang for the Buck”- 2015 – Washington Monthly
  • MSU ranked as a Military Friendly School – 2011-2016 – G.I. Jobs
  • MSU ranked sixth of all regional universities in the south on the US News and World Report “2015 Best Colleges for Veterans.”- US News and World Report
  • “Great Colleges to Work For” 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 – The Chronicle for Higher Education
  • Ranked on the “America’s Best Colleges” list seven consecutive years. – 2008-2014 Forbes
  • Murray State at the top of 10-school list where merit aid awards are most common – 2012 – U.S.News
  • Murray State is a “Yellow Ribbon School” – 2012 – U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Murray State ranked as one of only two Kentucky publics (UK was the other) receiving a “B” for its general studies program. Nationally, only 17 universities scored an “A.”- The American Council of Trustees and Alumni
  • A “Top Tier” university in academic quality for 25 consecutive years – 1992-2016 – U.S. News & World Report
  • Ranked 28th Best Regional University among all public and private universities in the southern region. – 2016 – U.S. News & World Report
  • Ranked 9th Top Public Regional University among all public universities in the southern region – 2016 – U.S. News & World Report
  • In the Top 14 nine consecutive years among all public master’s universities. – 2006-2014 – U.S. News & World Report
  • MSU online M.B.A. program ranked as one of the best in the country. –2014 – U.S. News & World Report
  • Ranked “Best Buy” for online M.B.A. – 2010 and 2012 – GetEducated.com
  • Murray recognized with both the highest six–year graduation rate and graduation rate increase among Kentucky’s public regionals in 2010 – Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
  • A Gold Start! Fit-Friendly Company for promotion of healthy lifestyles – 2011-12 – American Heart Association

Some of the Programs Offered:

Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering and Technology

  • Biological Science
  • Center for Telecommunications Systems Management
  • Chemistry
  • Geosciences
  • Institute of Engineering
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Telecommunications Systems Management
  • Occupational Safety and Health
  • Watershed Studies Institute

Hutson School of Agriculture

  • Agriculture
  • Breathitt Veterinary Center

School of Nursing and Health Professions

  • Nursing
  • AHEC (Purchase Area Health Education Center)
  • Applied Health Sciences
    • Athletic Training
    • Exercise Science
    • Nutrition, Dietetics, & Food Management
    • Public & Community Health

Regional Academic Outreach

  • Integrated Studies

Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

  • Accounting
  • Computer Science and Information Systems
  • Economics and Finance
  • Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Management, Marketing and Business Administration
  • Organizational Communication

College of Education & Human Services

  • Adolescent, Career and Special Education
  • Center for Communication Disorders
  • Community Leadership & Human Services
  • Early Childhood and Elementary Education
  • Educational Studies, Leadership and Counseling
  • Kentucky Academy of Technology Education (KATE)
  • Teacher Education Services

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

  • Art and Design
  • English and Philosophy
  • History
  • Liberal Arts
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • Political Science and Sociology
  • Psychology
  • Theatre

Life on Campus

  • Murray State University offers a number of student services including non remedial tutoring, women’s center, placement service, and health service. Murray State University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Murray State University, 70 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at Murray State University.
  • Your physical well-being is high on the list of priorities of the MSU administration. No matter your favorite activity – swimming, weights, aerobics, handball or basketball – at Murray State you can always find companionship and first-class facilities. Murray State students can spend many hours in the vast recreational area of Kentucky and Barkley Lakes and the Land Between the Lakes national recreational area, all located within a short drive from campus. Here students enjoy swimming, fishing, water skiing, golfing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, and just soaking up the sun on the beaches. The Leisure Connection is a service at Murray State that allows students to check out tents, sleeping bags, stoves, coolers, and other recreational equipment at very low rates. Travel information and maps are also available for help in planning a weekend or vacation trip.