By Chris Taylor
Murray, KY – Murray State University is one of Forbes' top 500 colleges in the nation. It ranks 481st on the listing and outpaces many other regional schools, including most of Kentucky's larger public universities, as well as nearby MTSU in Tennessee and SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Those schools ranked in the lower and mid 500's. Forbes bases its ranking on student satisfaction, post-graduate success, and the level of debt students take with them after receiving their degree; among other factors.