Score target

What is a good SAT score for Murray State University?

Federal data, not an estimate: the middle 50% of Murray State University's enrolled students and what to do with it.

By PrepScore · Updated 1 September 2026 · How we research and update content

In short

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Murray State University scored 940–1170 on the SAT — Reading and Writing 480–600, Math 460–570 — per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. A score at or above 1170 clears the band entirely; inside it, the upper half is the safer target. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants, so the score is one input among several, not a cutoff.

The band, and how to read it

Middle 50% of enrolled students at Murray State University (College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-09-01).
	25th percentile	75th percentile
SAT total	940	1170
Reading and Writing	480	600
Math	460	570

A middle 50% means a quarter of enrolled students scored below 940 and a quarter scored above 1170. It is a description of who enrolled, not an admission rule — people are admitted from below the band every cycle, and rejected from above it.

Enrolled, not admitted

Federal data reports the students who enrolled. Admitted-student bands run slightly higher at most schools, because some of the strongest admits enrol elsewhere. Treat the band as a floor for planning, not a ceiling.

Setting a target inside the band

At or above 1170: the score stops being a question anywhere in the application. Further points are worth less than time spent on everything else.
1055–1170 (upper half): competitive. This is the practical target for most applicants.
940–1055 (lower half): in range, and the rest of the application carries more of the weight.
Below 940: a quarter of the enrolled class is here too — but if a retake is realistic, this is where it pays most.

Context: Murray State University by the numbers

Measure	Value
Admission rate	about 86%
Enrolled undergraduates	about 7k
Location	Murray, KY

How to close a gap to the band

Work by section, not by mixed test. If Math is the weaker section, the Math domain pages split it into the skills the test actually samples; same for Reading and Writing. The method is set out in how to improve your SAT Math score and Reading and Writing.

Practise toward the Murray State University band

Free SAT practice with an explanation on every question, and a score estimate that tracks your distance to a target.

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Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do I need for Murray State University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 940–1170. A score in the upper half of that band is competitive, and 1170+ clears it entirely. There is no published cutoff.

Can I get into Murray State University with a score below 940?

A quarter of enrolled students did. Below the 25th percentile the rest of the application has to carry more weight, and a retake pays off most in this position.

Is 1170 a good SAT score for Murray State University?

Yes — 1170 is the 75th percentile of enrolled students, so it is above three quarters of the class. Past that point, more points buy little.

Where do these numbers come from?

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (IPEDS), retrieved 2026-09-01. The page links the school's federal profile below — check it before deciding anything.