
Murray State's Racers compete in NCAA Division I athletics. The university is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference for many varsity sports, while football competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Varsity opportunities include sports such as basketball, football, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball and golf. A varsity roster is different from a club team or an intramural league: varsity participation involves team selection and NCAA rules, while recreational opportunities are designed for a broader group of students. Students interested in playing should check the current sport-specific roster or campus recreation offerings rather than assume that every sport listed among student activities has a varsity team or offers athletic aid.
Murray State students can participate in organizations centered on governance, academic interests, culture, service and performance. Examples include the Student Government Association, the International Student Organization, the Racer Band and student ambassador activities.
Greek-letter organizations and councils, including the National Pan-Hellenic Council, provide another form of involvement. Students interested in media or the arts can also look into the student newspaper, student radio, theater productions and choral groups. Organization membership, meeting schedules and recognition can change, so the current student-organization directory is the best way to find an active group and its contact information.
Murray State enrolls roughly 10,020 students. Its student body includes first-time undergraduates, transfer students and students at later stages of study, rather than only residential freshmen.
The reported first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate intake is 1,562, alongside 523 incoming transfer students. About 62% of students are reported as Kentucky residents and 36% as coming from other U.S. states; approximately 3% are from other countries. These rounded geographic categories should not be added as though they were exact headcounts.
Students ages 18-21 make up a substantial portion of enrollment, but the university also serves older learners. Reported counts include 662 students ages 25-29 and students in higher age brackets. Published race and ethnicity counts identify White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, multiracial and other students; those counts should not be taken as a complete description of any student's identity or campus experience.
Everyday life at Murray State combines a residential campus with a sizable commuting population. The reported shares are 34% living on campus and 66% commuting, so class schedules, travel time and evening activities may shape how students connect with peers.
Orientation, student activities and common campus spaces provide ways to meet people outside class. Campus recreation offers another route for participation without joining a varsity team. Students can also seek health care and personal or psychological counseling through university services. For a commuter, adult learner or transfer student, the practical question is whether the activities and support they want are available at times - and, where relevant, locations - that fit their schedule.
Waterfield Library is Murray State's main academic library. Students can use library study space and seek assistance finding scholarly sources for coursework and research; reservable study rooms are available.
The university reports three campus libraries in total. Library services extend beyond physical shelves through research databases and other electronic materials, while access to specialized collections or borrowing services depends on library policy. Students planning late study sessions should check current building hours: the reported library arrangements do not include a study area open around the clock on a regular five- or seven-day schedule.
Total enrollment
10020Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
1488Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
432 full time, 95 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Archery
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Crew
Cross-country running
Equestrian sports
Fencing
Field hockey
Football
Golf
Racquetball
Riflery
Rowing
Rugby
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and diving
Table tennis
Tennis
Track and field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water polo
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.