Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 59.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 59.5%
- Retention Rate
- 76.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $44,737
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 57.3%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $217/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $162,817 | |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Master | $79,473 | |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $66,969 | $24,561 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $59,485 | $18,800 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $59,485 | $28,786 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,142 | $18,203 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $56,641 | $42,000 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,964 | $22,250 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $23,475 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $50,856 | $19,037 |
| Engineering Physics. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $19,521 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Master | $44,971 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $44,384 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $44,091 | $18,318 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $42,495 | $22,500 |
Outcomes Overview
Murray State graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $20,500, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 46% against their $44,737 median salary after ten years. Monthly loan payments of $217 consume about 5.8% of typical graduate income, which sits below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong programs in agriculture, nursing, and education feed into stable career paths with consistent demand. Graduates earn $33,100 on average six years after graduation, reflecting the regional job market in western Kentucky. With a 96.6% employment rate and reasonable debt loads compared to national averages, Murray State delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking practical degrees without overwhelming financial burden.