As of Spring 2005, MTSU has the state's largest undergraduate student body with 20,279 students.Beginning May 2005, MTSU will hold two graduation ceremonies each spring and autumn to accommodate the large number of
graduates (average 1,600 per class) and their families wishing to attend. The ceremonies are held in the 10,000-seat Monte Hale
Arena inside the Charles M. Murphy Athletic Center.Much of the student body comes from a 50 mile (80 km) radius of campus.MTSU's focus in recent years has been on growth, but the university is quickly outgrowing its infrastructure. With the 2004
advent of the Tennessee Lottery
(which provides college scholarships to Tennessee students attending in-state
schools), more students than ever will have the financial resources to attend MTSU. The current administration seeks to curb
growth by raising admission standards and delegating remedial study programs to 2-year community colleges within the Tennessee
Board of Regents system.Only 3,500 students (approximately 15% of enrollment) live in on-campus dormitories, though the landscape surrounding the
university is littered with apartments marketed toward students. It is estimated another 35-40% of students rent residential
space within the city of Murfreesboro.