Murray State University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$38,832
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$3,473/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
11.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
79%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Murray State University's in-state tuition costs $9,708. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $38,962. Five years after graduation, earnings are $38,473, and ten years after graduation, earnings increase to $44,737. The median debt for graduates is $20,500, and 36.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for Murray State graduates is approximately 0.53 based on the first-year earnings and median debt. The break-even point, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year. The university has an 86.2% acceptance rate, a 59% graduation rate, and a 76.1% retention rate.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,708
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$38,473
Graduation Rate
59%
Receive Financial Aid
37%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other | $40,315 | 174% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,644 | 500% |
| Business/Commerce, General | $76,041 | 2014% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,665 | 192% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $185,897 | 7672% |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | $31,553 | N/A |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $40,465 | 181% |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $97,925 | 3141% |
| Social Work | $34,856 | N/A |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $53,977 | 877% |
| Biology, General | $40,116 | 163% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $41,664 | 243% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.