Kentucky’s First Vet School or a $60 Million Mistake? Murray State Pushes Ahead Despite Industry Warnings

Murray State University is charging forward with plans to establish Kentucky’s first veterinary school, but critics are raising serious concerns about funding, staffing, and educational quality.

After decades without a veterinary college, the state took a major step on March 19 when Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 77 into law, giving public universities the authority to offer doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine. Murray State quickly responded by outlining plans for a new College of Veterinary Medicine, with the first class tentatively set to begin in fall 2027.

A Bold Vision Backed by State Dollars

Murray State officials say the proposed veterinary school will help meet a growing need for rural and large animal veterinarians in Kentucky, particularly in support of the cattle industry. A 2023 feasibility report highlighted that Kentucky ranks among the top five states for number of farms yet lacks an in-state veterinary school. As a result, students must compete for a limited number of discounted seats at Auburn University or Tuskegee University, or attend veterinary schools out of state.

The university hopes the new program will also recapture some of the estimated $4.8 million in veterinary tuition that currently leaves Kentucky each year. Plans include the construction of a $60 million Veterinary Sciences Building, slated to begin this fall, which will house pre-veterinary, veterinary technician, and future veterinary medical students.

Annual operational costs are expected to run between $11 million and $12.1 million, according to a Deloitte Consulting study commissioned by the Kentucky General Assembly. That same study acknowledged Murray State’s strengths—including financial stability and existing animal science programs—but warned of serious obstacles ahead.

Opposition Mounts Over Quality Concerns

Not everyone is convinced Murray State is ready to train future veterinarians. The Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) supports the idea of an in-state veterinary college but opposes the current proposal.

“Murray State is proposing the lowest-funded and lowest-staffed veterinary school in the country,” KVMA officials said. “That raises real concerns about whether graduates will be adequately trained to pass licensure exams and succeed in practice.”

The university plans for a class size of 70 students and aims to hire 15 faculty members and 42 additional staff by the fifth year of operation. The program would use a distributive clinical model, relying on external partnerships—such as with the Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville—for fourth-year clinical rotations.

While a survey of over 170 veterinarians across the state indicated interest in supporting student clinical training, the Deloitte report noted that a successful distributive model requires a robust and carefully coordinated network. Experts from other veterinary programs voiced concern that Murray State may not be fully accounting for the complexity and regulatory demands of such a model.

Still No Veterinary-Specific Facilities

Currently, Murray State does not plan to build new veterinary-specific facilities beyond the Veterinary Sciences Building. Critics argue that without proper teaching hospitals and on-site clinical spaces, the program risks falling short of accreditation requirements.

“Curricular and compliance needs for a DVM program are distinct from those of animal science degrees,” the Deloitte report warned.

Despite the concerns, university officials remain optimistic. Brian Parr, dean of MSU’s Hutson School of Agriculture, described the legislative progress as a “needed advancement in educational opportunities” that could strengthen the state’s agricultural economy and provide new career pathways for Kentucky students.

High Hopes or High Risk?

As veterinary schools across the country continue to expand—with more than a dozen new programs proposed in recent years—the debate around Murray State’s program reflects broader questions in the industry: Are new schools helping to meet demand, or are they spreading limited resources too thin?

With the clock ticking toward a 2027 launch, all eyes are now on Murray State. Supporters see a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the state. Critics see warning signs the university may not be ready.

Whether this initiative becomes a national model—or a cautionary tale—remains to be seen.