ARDMORE, Okla., and TISHOMINGO, Okla. — The Murray State College Board of Regents and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have approved a tuition increase beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.
The adjustment raises tuition by $5.05 per credit hour, from $144.20 to $149.25. For a full-time student taking 12 credit hours, the increase totals about $60.60 per semester, representing a 2.8% increase. This comes as Murray State College continues its period of strategic growth.
Over the past year, the College has expanded academic opportunities by adding two new academic programs and one new activity program. It has also created 10 new full-time positions and hired 35 full-time employees to support growing enrollment and student services.
“While student success remains the highest priority, investing in our faculty and staff strengthens the quality of education Murray State provides and creates a lasting impact across southern Oklahoma,” said Leslie Larsen, Chair of the Murray State College Board of Regents. “By supporting the dedicated professionals who educate, mentor, and serve our students, we are also investing in the families they support and the communities they help strengthen every day.”
To help offset the increase, the Murray State College Foundation has increased scholarship support by 126%. Enrollment growth has been especially strong in high-demand programs.
After a seven-year freeze on tuition rates, Murray State implemented a 2.3% adjustment for Fiscal Year 2026, bringing the total increase over the last eight years to 5.1%. In contrast, the CPI in those same eight years has increased by 30%.
“A significant portion of the additional tition revenue will help offset rising costs, allowing the College to continue investing in its employees by maintaining high-quality health insurance benefits and by minimizing the financial impact on faculty and staff,” said Justin Cellum, Murray State College Executive Vice President of Finance and Operations.
Employee health insurance varies by employee and remains one of the College‘s most significant and fastest- growing expenses. “We will begin evaluating additional health insurance options that could offer greater flexibility for employees and help the College manage long-term benefit costs more effectively,” Cellum said.
Despite ongoing inflationary pressures, the College‘s Fiscal Year 2027 budget demonstrates its commitment to responsible financial stewardship. Even after the adjustment, Murray State College remains among the most affordable institutions of higher education in Oklahoma.
“We recognize this is an important decision for our students and families,” said Dr. Tim Faltyn, Murray State College President. “We are committed to being transparent about why it’s necessary. As Murray State continues to grow and support the needs of our faculty and staff, this increase helps ensure we can continue to provide an affordable, high-quality education while meeting the needs of our students and the communities we serve.”