Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Murray, Kentucky
86.2% Acceptance Rate
Murray State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
86.2%Acceptance Rate
3.57Avg GPA
1110Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$21,475Annual Cost
$44,737Grad Salary
31.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86.2%
Avg GPA
3.57
Avg SAT
1110
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
950–1190
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$9,121
Need-Based Aid
31.4% receive Pell
Murray State University is a public institution in Kentucky known for its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. Offering a wide range of programs, the university provides a supportive campus environment that helps students develop the skills necessary for professional and personal leadership.
Murray State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Murray State University is inclusive by design. 86.2% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.12
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Murray State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for Murray State University (Spring — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 112 days left — Spring
Spring
December 1
Fall
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Murray State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Murray State University is 3.57. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.27 and 3.57? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.77–3.97.Murray State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.57 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.37 – 3.56
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.17 – 3.36
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.16
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Honors College application is separate from general admission, requires a short essay, and has a December 1 priority deadline.
- Honors College admission requires meeting one of two paired thresholds: 28+ ACT & 3.6+ GPA, or 3.8+ GPA & 27+ ACT.
- Kentucky residents under 21 must complete the state-mandated pre-college curriculum; ACT subscores below 18 English/19 Math/20 Reading trigger mandatory developmental coursework.
- SACSCOC-accredited; rolling admission with roughly an 85?86% acceptance rate; $25 application fee with waivers available.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Murray State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Murray State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Murray State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Murray State University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Murray State University Without SAT or ACT?
Murray State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Murray State University Average SAT Score: 1110
Admitted students at Murray State University average a 1110 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1110 — Less Competitive
A 1110 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Murray State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 950? A retake is worth it at Murray State University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 530 | 470 | 590 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1110 | 950 | 1190 |
A score under 950 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1190+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Murray State University with a 1200 SAT?
At 1200, your SAT is squarely in Murray State University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Murray State University ACT Requirements
Murray State University's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Murray State University with a 26 ACT?
At 26, you're in the top quarter of Murray State University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Murray State University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Murray State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Murray State University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Hit One Honors College Threshold Cleanly, Then Close the Gap on the Other
Murray State's Honors College doesn't use a single GPA/test cutoff - it requires you to clearly meet one of two paired thresholds (28+ ACT with at least a 3.6 GPA, or a 3.8+ GPA with at least a 27 ACT) and be close on the other. If your GPA is strong but your ACT is a 25 or 26, a focused retake to hit 27 is worth more than polishing an already-strong transcript. Submit the separate Honors College application (it is not the same as your general Murray State application) with the short essay by December 1 for priority consideration.
Test-Prep Around Kentucky's Specific Developmental-Course Triggers
Kentucky law mandates subject-specific developmental coursework if your ACT subscores fall below 18 in English, 19 in Math, or 20 in Reading (or equivalent SAT verbal 470/math 460 thresholds) - regardless of your composite score. A student with a strong overall ACT but a 17 in English will still be placed in a remedial course before entry-level credit classes count. Check your subscores against these exact numbers, not just your composite, before you finalize testing.
Treat the Presidential Fellowship as a Multi-Stage Competition, Not a Single Application
Qualifying (28+ ACT or 1300+ SAT combined, submitted with transcripts by December 1) only gets you an invitation - the real competition happens at Honors Day, where you write essays on-site and complete group interviews, and only a select group advances to individual interviews in February. Prepare for in-person essay writing under time pressure, not just a polished take-home essay, since that's the actual format Murray State uses to narrow the field.
Leverage Kentucky-Specific Pipeline Programs If You Qualify
If you participated in the Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs (GSE), Governor's School for the Arts (GSA), Governor's Scholars Program (GSP), or Commonwealth Honors Academy (CHA), you're eligible for renewable scholarships layered on top of general admission - but these cannot be combined with the Presidential Fellowship or Academic Achievement Award, so map out which combination maximizes your total award before accepting any single one.
Expert Insight:
Students who win the Presidential Fellowship sometimes treat it as a guaranteed four-year award - it isn't. Renewal requires maintaining a 3.2 cumulative GPA, staying enrolled full-time, actively participating in the Honors College, and engaging in research in your academic discipline every year; a GPA dip in sophomore year unrelated to the original scholarship criteria can still cost you the fellowship.
Murray State University Profile
Full Name
Murray State University
City
Murray
State
Kentucky
ZIP Code
42071-3318
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Murray State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Murray State University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $48,900, and graduates see a 3.65% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Murray State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $21,475/year at Murray State University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $9,121.
At Murray State University, 31.4% receive a Pell Grant and 36.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Murray State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Murray State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Murray State University graduates report a median income of $44,737, about 10% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Murray State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Murray State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Murray State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Murray State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Murray State University Admissions
Murray State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $44,737/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Murray State University is relatively affordable, around $21,475/year.
31.4% of Murray State University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Murray State University's acceptance rate is 86.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Murray State University students is 3.57, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.27 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Murray State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.17 or below makes admission tougher at Murray State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Murray State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1110, and within the 950–1190 range, keeps you competitive.
Murray State University's deadline is December 1 (Spring).
Murray State University charges an application fee of 40; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's Murray State University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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