Information Science/Studies at Murray State University

Murray State's Information Science program shows a puzzling split: terrible national rankings (5th percentile) but middle-of-the-pack performance within Kentucky (60th percentile). This disconnect stems partly from the program's modest $43,178 starting salary, which trails the national median by $15,000—but that's actually typical for Kentucky tech programs. Within the state's limited options, Murray State sits between University of Kentucky ($49K) and Northern Kentucky University ($31K). The $24,000 debt load is manageable at roughly half your first year's earnings, slightly better than both state and national benchmarks.

The 53% earnings jump from year one to year four ($43K to $66K) offers genuine promise, ultimately pushing graduates near national averages by their mid-twenties. However, the sample size here is small—under 30 graduates—which means one outlier could swing these numbers significantly. What you're seeing might not represent the typical graduate's experience.

The bottom line: If your child is committed to staying in Kentucky, this program delivers reasonable value with controlled debt. But if they're planning to compete nationally or relocate to higher-paying tech markets, they'll start at a significant disadvantage compared to peers from other states' programs. The strong earnings growth suggests catching up is possible, though you're betting on potential rather than proven starting power.