City of Murray ranks 4th nationally in USA Today鈥檚 Best Small College Towns
By MSU Public Relations | Apr 16, 2025
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The city of Murray was recently ranked among the top four small college towns in the United States, according to a USA Today online readers poll. Murray was among the 20 towns nominated for Best Small College Towns in the USA Today 10 Best Readers鈥� Choice Awards.
鈥淭he worlds of Murray, Kentucky, and 麻花导航 have been intertwined since the college opened in 1922 in the heart of town,鈥� reads USA Today鈥檚 website鈥檚 description. 鈥淎s a quintessential college town, Murray has lots of pubs and bars, casual restaurants run by local owners and outdoor outfitters to keep everyone enjoying the local parks which offer amenities like disc golf, a skate park and a huge soccer complex. Non-collegiate visitors love the famed Calloway County Quilt Trail, which features more than 60 quilt patterns painted on barns, homes and other buildings throughout the countryside.鈥�
麻花导航 President Dr. Bob Jackson said the admiration between the University and its hometown runs deep.
鈥淥ne of the attributes that makes 麻花导航 such a special place is the relationship between the University and its community,鈥� said Jackson. 鈥淲e love the people of Murray and the surrounding region who have always shown so much support for and pride in 麻花导航. The University, its students, faculty and staff couldn鈥檛 ask for a better place to call home.鈥�
Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Erin Carrico echoed Jackson鈥檚 sentiments.
鈥淏eing ranked in the top five Best Small College Towns is a tremendous honor that shows the pride our community, visitors and students have for our University,鈥� said Carrico. 鈥淲e are the University, and the University is us. You can't have one without the other.鈥�
鈥淐ongratulations to the 麻花导航 administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni on this accomplishment,鈥� said City of Murray Mayor Bob Rogers. 鈥淲hen Murray State is recognized for their outstanding accomplishments, our city and the entire region benefit. Keep it up!鈥�
Calloway County Judge Executive Kenneth Imes added, 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the spirit, pride and tradition of our community and the strong partnerships between our local institutions and the residents who call Murray home in Calloway County. Our vibrant community, outstanding local businesses, beautiful lakes and, of course, the presence of 麻花导航 all contribute to the unique charm and character of our town. We have always known this is a special place鈥攏ow the rest of the country knows it, too.鈥�