At $15,071/yr net price, Murray State College graduates earn $36,545/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,545/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,071 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,284 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,545/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,545/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 23.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,387 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,627/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,133/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,735/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,519/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,460/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 | $17,969 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $32,029 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,658 | $12,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
30.5% of students at Murray State College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Murray State College delivers weak financial returns for most students, with median earnings of $36,545 ten years after enrollment barely justifying the $15,071 annual net price. The 30% graduation rate means most students leave without completing their programs.
Nursing stands out as the clear financial winner, with graduates earning $57,318 annually despite carrying $17,969 in debt. This program offers legitimate career prospects in Oklahoma's healthcare market. All other major programs produce disappointing outcomes, with Liberal Arts graduates earning just $25,658 and Management Sciences barely reaching $25,194.
You face significant completion risk at Murray State. Seven out of ten students never finish their programs, leaving them with debt but no credential. The school serves a limited regional job market around Tishomingo, which constrains earning potential for most graduates outside of healthcare.
Murray State makes financial sense only if you plan to enter nursing and can commit to completing the program. The relatively low median debt of $13,387 helps, but only if you actually graduate. Students interested in liberal arts or general business fields should consider alternatives with stronger job placement rates and higher completion rates.
With just 29% of students receiving financial aid, merit opportunities appear limited. Your best cost strategy involves completing your program quickly and targeting the nursing track if possible. Students seeking broad career flexibility or strong earning potential across multiple fields should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Murray State College worth the money?
Murray State College has mixed value depending on your program. Nursing graduates earn $57,318 annually, making it worthwhile, but other programs like liberal arts lead to $25,658 salaries that barely justify the $15,071 annual cost.
What is the return on investment for Murray State College?
The overall ROI is poor with average graduate earnings of $36,545 after 10 years and only a 30.5% graduation rate. Students who don't complete their degree face significant financial loss with limited earning potential.
How much debt do Murray State College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $13,387 in debt, which is manageable for nursing students but challenging for those in lower-paying fields. The debt becomes problematic given that 70% of students don't graduate.
Which Murray State College programs offer the best job prospects?
Registered nursing and precision systems maintenance provide the strongest returns, with nursing graduates earning over $57,000 annually. Liberal arts and general studies programs offer poor job prospects with starting salaries around $25,000.