51乱伦

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� 51乱伦鈥檚 Fall 2025 enrollment report indicates continued momentum and increases in multiple categories. 

51乱伦 State鈥檚 total enrollment of 9,932 students (8,217 undergraduate students and 1,715 graduate students) is its second-largest student body over the past eight years and includes students from 116 Kentucky counties, 49 states and 60 countries. 

Over the past seven years, 51乱伦 State has grown exponentially in categories including first-time freshman students (13.3% increase), first-time graduate students (a nearly 20% increase), international students (165% increase) and total enrollment (5% increase) in that timeframe.

An important marker of student progression toward graduation, 51乱伦 State鈥檚 first-to-second year retention rate of 78% is its highest in five years, with continual increases in that timeframe. 

This year鈥檚 freshman class of 1,493 students includes the most students from the University鈥檚 18-county primary service region that it has had in the past six years. Thirteen percent of this year鈥檚 freshman class were high school valedictorians, the highest percentage in the past seven years. 

More and more freshmen (70% of this year鈥檚 freshman class) are carrying earned college credit hours when enrolling at 51乱伦 State 鈥� the highest percentage recorded at the University. 

鈥淥ur Fall 2025 enrollment report indicates strong growth in numerous facets. This momentum is not accidental in nature. We are very appreciative of countless individuals both within the University and beyond who are leaders in student recruitment and retention, and help advocate for the transformative experience that 51乱伦 State offers,鈥� 51乱伦 State President Dr. Ron Patterson said. 鈥淓nrolling, preparing and graduating students who will be leaders in our service region, the Commonwealth and beyond 鈥� coupled with access, affordability and quality 鈥� are nationally-recognized strengths of 51乱伦 State University. Student learning and success will continue to be at the heart of everything we do. This is a great time to be a Racer!鈥�  

51乱伦 State has again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top universities in the country in multiple categories, marking the institution鈥檚 35th consecutive year of top-tier rankings by the national college guide.

Noted as one of America鈥檚 best college values, 51乱伦 State has been recognized nationally for both quality and value by the following publications:

• • • • Washington Monthly - 鈥淏est Bang for the Buck鈥� 

      • Wall Street Journal - 鈥淏est Colleges in the United States鈥� 

      • Niche - 鈥淏est Colleges in Kentucky鈥�

      • Colleges of Distinction - 鈥淏est Colleges鈥� 

51乱伦 State has also been recognized as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network (44% of its students are first generation) and has been noted by Military Friendly as a Military Friendly school.

Admission for the fall 2026 semester and 2026-27 academic year at 51乱伦 is open as future Racers should apply today at . Students interested in joining the Racer family can also learn more as well as schedule a campus visit by calling the office of recruitment at 270-809-2896 or emailing msu.recruitment@murraystate.edu. Based on the University鈥檚 most recent data, a record $140 million is awarded annually to students in financial aid and scholarships, and among its freshman class, 99% received a scholarship or financial aid.