Murray State bought Station 74 for $16 million earlier this year.

Station 74 is an apartment complex across the street from the main campus which offers off campus living for upperclassmen, non-traditional and graduate students. It serves as a replacement for some of the College Courts buildings, which is the on-campus housing that Murray State offered.

The price of Station 74 varies depending on apartments ranging from $2,750 a semester to $4,500 a semester depending on which apartment you get. Within these apartments, you get your own room and bathroom, and you share a common space and kitchen with the rest of your roommates.

Compared to dorm living, Station 74 offers some benefits where you can get your own room for a cheaper rate, easier access to kitchen space and less moderation compared to dorm living. On the other hand, in order to have that cheaper rate you have to opt to live with three other people.

Off campus living in other apartments can vary in pricing, but a lot of campus living seems cheaper and more suitable compared to Station 74. Many places, like CEV, offer the same package as Station 74, but it comes cheaper with a lease starting at around $400 plus some utilities.

The upside to living at Station 74 is that since it is owned by Murray State, financial aid can be used to pay for it. When it comes to moderation of what you can do in your apartment, living off campus would be a better choice. Since Station 74 is a Murray State property, you are expected to follow certain guidelines and rules that the University has set for those residents.

In our opinion, Station 74 offers a chance for students to be able to get out of dorm living and experience what it’s like living in an apartment but for a higher price. Although it’s helpful that you can use funding through financial aid for the housing, you still have to pay that back eventually.

If you’re able to get a job and work or have the money to pay out of pocket, living somewhere else is easier and cheaper compared to Station 74.