Despite a high sticker price, this school is affordable for many families due to generous need-based aid. Strong support for lower-income students.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at Murray State University
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$20K
+
Room
$11K
+
Books
$940
=
Sticker Price
$23,485
$20K+$11K+$940=$23,485
Your Family Income
Sticker
$23,485
−
Your Aid
$15,381
=
Net Price
$8,104
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
Murray State University Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$23,485
Tuition and Fees
$19,836
Room and Board
$11,112
Books and Supplies
$940
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$14,389
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$9,096
Murray State University Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$6,242
$30–48k
$6,347
$48–75k
$8,104
$75–110k
$12,811
$110k+
$15,450
Understanding Your Aid Package
Murray State University has a sticker price of $23,485 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $23,485/year
Average aid: $14,389 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$8,104/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$6,242/year
33% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
33%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
34%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$20,500
Range (25th–75th)$6,000 – $26,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$18,465
Debt Manageability
0.41x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$44,737
Earnings Growth
+16%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$-8,495
25th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$30,046
25th %ile
$66,231
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about Murray State University Cost & Financial Aid
Murray State University's published tuition is $23,485 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $8,104—a difference of $15,381.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $6,242 at Murray State University. 33% of students receive Pell Grants.
Murray State University offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for Murray graduates is $20,500, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $217 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $15,450 at Murray—still $8,035 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
