Morehead State University
#8 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,197 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,793 B
- 43% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 77% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.4 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Education Colleges in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $26.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $996,143.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Morehead State University Matters
Morehead State University is a public university in Morehead, KY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,578
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Morehead State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 77% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,793 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,197 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $22,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 39% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.44 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 77%, Morehead State University is a welcoming choice for students seeking a supportive environment. It's particularly suited for those interested in practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Education, where hands-on learning is emphasized. Students can expect to delve into their studies while benefiting from a community that values growth and connection.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years post-degree sit at $43,197. This figure reflects a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable net price of $9,793. While the graduation rate is 50%, a degree from Morehead State can still lead to meaningful opportunities for many, especially for those who are determined to move up in their careers.
Financially, graduates face a median debt of $22,250, which is quite manageable given the earning potential. The 30% Pell Grant rate shows that a significant portion of students receive need-based aid, helping to ease the burden of costs. This school tends to attract individuals who are ready to roll up their sleeves and engage actively in their education, making it a good fit for those who appreciate a hands-on approach to learning.
Rankings
- #8 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- #12 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #12 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
- #13 Best Biology Colleges in Kentucky
- #18 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Morehead State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Morehead State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Morehead State University, located in Morehead, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 80%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,788
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.29
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 7,911
- Admitted
- 6,643
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Morehead State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Morehead State University is $14,980, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,793. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,150 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,024
- Out-of-State
- $14,980
- Avg Net Price
- $9,793
- Median Debt
- $22,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 34%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,150
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,057
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,874
- Family Income $110K+
- $15,164
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Morehead State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Morehead State University report median earnings of $43,197, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,131
- 8 Years
- $40,571
- 10 Years
- $43,197
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.52x
- Earning > $25K
- 52%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (402)
- 28%
- 100% (402)
- 28%
- 100% (402)
- 28%
- 100% (402)
- 28%
How Morehead Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Morehead State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Morehead State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,793/year ($39,172 total). Graduates earn $43,197 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,035,315 in total earnings — a net gain of $996,143 (26.4× your investment). The median debt is $22,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,172
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,035,315
- Net Return
- $996,143
- ROI Multiple
- 26.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,793
- Median Debt
- $22,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Morehead State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Morehead State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.71%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.71%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 15.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $65,700
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-1,094,135
Top Programs
The fields Morehead State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 14%
- Business & Marketing 12%
- Humanities 10%
- Education 10%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Communications 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Morehead State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Morehead State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Morehead State University, located in Morehead, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 77%. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Morehead State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Morehead State University is $14,980, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,793. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,150 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,250 in federal student loans.
Is Morehead State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Morehead State University report median earnings of $43,197, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Morehead State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Morehead State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.71%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 15.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Morehead State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Morehead State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Morehead State University.
- The University of Tennessee-MartinMartin, TN · Close peer54% grad $44,213 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, AR · Close peer37% grad $41,102 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend, IN · Close peer38% grad $44,947 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- McNeese State UniversityLake Charles, LA · Close peer49% grad $46,453 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NC · Close peer44% grad $43,407 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Murray State UniversityMurray, KY · Close peer60% grad $44,737 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Morehead State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Morehead State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note