Murray State University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
At Murray State, admission is realistic for many applicants, so your bigger opportunity is using scores to compete for merit aid. With a 3.8 GPA, a 28 ACT or 1300 SAT meets the Regents Scholarship cutoff for $8,000, while a 33 ACT or 1450 SAT reaches Trustees at $10,000.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Murray State University facts and stats
Murray State University enrolls about 8,281 undergraduates in a small-town campus setting. Murray State has a 75% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 65% six-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1.
Murray, KY
How do your scores compare at Murray State?
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Key Murray State University application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
Not offered
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
December 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional Murray State, take your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall for retakes. For SAT/ACT-based merit awards like the Trustees and Regents Scholarships, aim to have final scores in by the December 1 financial aid priority deadline; the November SAT or October ACT is typically the last retake that can arrive in time.
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What you'll actually pay
For out-of-state students, Murray State tuition is $15,036, while in-state tuition is $9,900; room and board adds $11,566. About 71% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $16,450. Merit scholarships can be significant, with awards from GPA 3.30+ up to $10,000 for SAT 1450+, ACT 33+, and GPA 3.80+. Graduates leave with an average debt of $26,919.
Student life at Murray State University
35% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Priority
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 6% of men join fraternities, and 5% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Alice Lloyd College
Pippa Passes, KYAcceptance rate: 75.2%
SAT: 710–960
ACT: 16–22
Asbury University
Wilmore, KYAcceptance rate: 95.4%
SAT: 1040–1270
ACT: 20–27
Ashland Community and Technical College
Ashland, KYAcceptance rate: 64.1%
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KYAcceptance rate: 86.1%
SAT: 1030–1225
ACT: 19–26
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