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Undergraduate Admissions

Ready to become a Racer?

Start your journey.

Jockey rides Racer One at one of the top 100 colleges in the south.

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.

Who We Are

Scholarships and Financial Aid

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Discover 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.

Browse Academic Programs

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Take the next step

1. Apply for admission to Murray State

Take the first step today in joining the Racer family! Graduating high school seniors with a GPA of 2.75 or above automatically qualify for admission. If you have a GPA between 2.0 and 2.74, you may still qualify! Our admissions staff will review your application.

Do you qualify? Use our simple Admissions calculator to find out.

2. Apply for scholarships and financial aid

After you're admitted, apply for scholarships and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible. If you have a 2.75 or above GPA, you qualify for an Academic Acheivement scholarship, but you have to complete the FAFSA and scholarship application to receive it. Plus, you may qualify for more! Once admitted, complete the as soon as possible for priority review and awarding.

The Scholarship application opens September 1. FAFSA opens October 1.

3. Visit campus

Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus and meet current students, faculty and staff. Or schedule a virtual visit and connect with our Admissions staff wherever you are.

4. Check out housing & dining options

Chick-fil-A, Steak 'n Shake, Einstein Bros. Bagels and much more. Getting hungry yet? Our residence halls are just a short walk from classes, dining venues and campus events.

5. Attend events

Admitted student weekend and Racer Nation Orientation will bring you to campus for fun activities and programs! Admitted Student Weekend is your first chance to meet your future classmates and you'll get early access to register for Racer Nation Orientation. Racer Nation Orientation includes registering for classes. The spring RNO sessions fill up fast, so register early to claim your seat in Fall 2023 classes.

Murray State at a glance

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9,456 enrolled

The Racer family stretches far and wide. Our students represent 45 countries and 48 states. But, we still value small class sizes with a 16:1 student to faculty ratio.

View more stats and facts

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.

View our rankings

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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.

Learn more about alumni

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One of America's best college values

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?

Cost

Scholarships

Financial Aid

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 enrolling Fall 2023.

Learn more about applying for scholarships

4.00 to 3.80

TRUSTEE

4.00 to 3.80
AND
33+ ACT or 1450+ SAT

$10,000

4.00 to 3.80

REGENTS

4.00 to 3.80
AND
28-32 ACT or 1300-1440 SAT

$8,000

4.00 to 3.80

PROVOST

4.00 to 3.80
No ACT/SAT required

$5,000

3.79 to 3.50

CARR

3.79 to 3.50

$4,000

3.49 to 3.30

UNIVERSITY

3.49 to 3.30

$3,000

3.29 to 3.00

DEANS

3.29 to 3.00

$2,500

2.99 to 2.75

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, pick up a suit or blouse at the JCPenney Suit-Up sale and check out internship opportunities from nearly 4,300 employers through Handshake, Career Services’s online career management platform.

Career services

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 provide on-campus health services to students with on-site physicians, nurses and staff, along with after-hours access. As part of the Racer family, you will join a community that is inclusive, friendly, accessible and where you can truly be yourself.

Learn more about our campus

“Murray State was not too close but not too far from home, and it felt like a friendly and safe environment: a home away from home."

Imani OliverAlum, Chemistry and Mathematics

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.

What we offer

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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.

RACER ATHLETICs

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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.

Campus traditions

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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.

Intramurals

40 Education Abroad countries

education abroad info

Education Abroad

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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.

residential colleges

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.

Student organizations