Admit rate has ranged 64%–98% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Eastern Kentucky University is a public regional institution that defines itself as an engine of practical opportunity for Kentuckians, particularly first-generation and working-class students. Its sprawling campus in Richmond offers a classic college-town feel and a slate of over 100 career-focused programs, from criminal justice to health professions. While its admissions are accessible, EKU’s identity is forged in its commitment to social mobility, delivering a low-cost, high-engagement education where graduates are more likely to land a job in their field than at many peer institutions.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
12,318
In-state tuition
$10,320
Out-of-state tuition
$21,230
No-Loan Policy
No
Graduation Rate
50%
Meets Full Need
No
ED Share of Class
0%
First-Year Retention
77%
Demonstrated Interest
Not considered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$45,795
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,795
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.1×
Median debt at graduation
$22,500
Graduation rate
50%
First-year retention
77%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
48%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
40%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians$69,338
Engineering-Related Fields$63,749
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$57,318
Construction Management$57,318
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$52,822
Fire Protection
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
11
Per 1,000 students
0.76
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
32°F
Annual rain
50.7"
Annual snow
9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
127
Scholarly works
5,366
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.5%
Bottom → top quintile
11%
From bottom quintile
14%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Eastern Kentucky University?
Eastern Kentucky University's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Richmond, KY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Eastern Kentucky University?
Admitted students at Eastern Kentucky University typically score 880–1080 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Eastern Kentucky University cost?
At Eastern Kentucky University, the average net price (after aid) is about $11,040 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Eastern Kentucky University?
Eastern Kentucky University enrolls approximately 12,318 undergraduate students.
Where is Eastern Kentucky University located?
Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY.
Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University operates with a highly accessible admissions philosophy, positioning itself as an open door for Kentuckians seeking a practical, career-oriented education. The process is straightforward: applicants must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher qualifying for Standard Admission. Submission of ACT or SAT scores is optional. The university does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan, relying on a rolling admissions model with a Regular Admission deadline of August 1. Demonstrated interest—tracking a prospective student's campus visits or engagement—is not a considered factor in admissions decisions, according to practices. The profile of an enrolled freshman is anchored by an average high school GPA of 3.36.
EKU’s academic identity is built on breadth, accessibility, and a clear focus on workforce preparation. The university offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs, available online, on-campus, or in hybrid formats, including associate and bachelor's degrees in general studies. The curriculum is dominated by applied fields. For the 2024 graduating class, the most popular majors were in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (13%) and Health Professions and Related Programs (11%). Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General Studies, and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. The program catalog reveals a strong emphasis on contemporary, in-demand fields like Data Science and Statistics, and Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity. This practical orientation extends to the classroom experience, which is designed to prepare students to 'take your next step' into a career or further education.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$49,787
Computer and Information Sciences, General$49,019
Security Science and Technology$48,432
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life as an EKU Colonel is characterized by a robust calendar of free, on-campus programming designed to build community and supplement classroom learning. The Office of Student Life and First Year Experience organizes a steady stream of events throughout the semester, including concerts, comedy shows, and athletic events. Students describe the campus as 'beautiful' and note ample opportunities to connect through clubs, a gym, coffee shops, and Greek life. The university actively promotes the idea that being a Colonel means 'embracing the opportunities and experiences EKU offers' beyond academics. This focus on engagement is central to the first-year experience, aiming to foster connection and retention from day one.
EKU stakes its reputation on tangible outcomes for its graduates, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, and it leads Kentucky's public universities in social mobility rankings. According to university-reported data, 77% of graduates secure full-time employment within six months of graduation, with 59% employed within their field of study. The first-year retention rate is 77%. The university's focus on serving Pell Grant recipients and students is a point of institutional pride, framing success not just in graduation but in immediate, meaningful employment.
Affordability is a cornerstone of EKU’s value proposition. The university states that 'almost everyone, regardless of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid.' Aid is primarily need-based, determined by completing the FAFSA, and most awards require full-time enrollment. EKU offers a range of scholarships to address financial need, which can cover tuition, books, housing, and food. One external analysis notes that 98% of EKU's full-time beginning undergraduates receive financial aid. The university has also launched new scholarship models aimed at making college more affordable for Kentuckians, where a combination of federal, state, campus, and private aid can cover 'up to a third to 100% of tuition costs' for eligible students. There is no institution-wide 'no-loan' policy that replaces loans with grants for all qualifying students; financial aid packages typically include a mix of grants and loans based on demonstrated need.
Eastern Kentucky University stands out not for exclusivity, but for its mission-driven focus on accessibility and economic uplift. It is unapologetically a university for the region it serves, prioritizing clear pathways from enrollment to employment. Its standout feature is a documented record of social mobility, getting students—especially those from modest means—across the graduation stage and into jobs, with a notable 59% employed in their field of study within six months. The campus culture is built around free, plentiful events to engage its commuter and residential population, fostering a sense of community. While it offers a wide academic menu, its soul is in practical, high-demand programs like criminal justice, health professions, and cybersecurity. EKU’s identity is that of a workhorse institution: affordable, pragmatic, and judged by the success of its graduates in the workforce, not the prestige of its admits.
Eastern Kentucky University seal · sourceEastern Kentucky University – Visit Richmond Kentucky · sourceEastern Kentucky University · sourceExperience Eastern - Eastern Kentucky University · source
.jpg?width=1600)
