PublicTown

Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern EKU

Richmond, Kentucky 40475-3102

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek lifeSports culture

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution in Richmond with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1089, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 11.7K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

50% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,795 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $9,962.

Established

1874

Mascot

Colonels

Type

Public university

Division

Division I

Plan Your Visit

78%Acceptance

1089SAT Avg

11,674Students

15:1Student:Faculty

50%Grad Rate

$45,795Earnings 10yr

$9,962Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate78.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1089

Reading & WritingMid: 535

480600

MathMid: 530

450590

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21

1724

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,130

Tuition (out-of-state)$20,820

Room & Board$11,735

Books & Supplies$0

Total Cost of Attendance$22,265

Average Net Price$9,962

Median Debt at Graduation$22,500

Monthly Payment (10yr)$239

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$7,107

$30–48K$7,006

$48–75K$9,326

$75–110K$14,213

$110K+$15,362

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

57.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,929

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (145)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

80%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

11,674

Gender Split

60% / 40%

Women / Men

First Generation

40%

Pell Grant Recipients

39%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%

Black 7%

Hispanic 6%

Asian 1%

Two+ 5%

Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate49.7%

Freshman Retention79.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$38,611

10 Years$45,795

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News

#329

—

vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

•Beckham signed legislation which established the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No.
•On May 7, 1906, the Normal School Commission selected the site of the former Central University campus as the location of this new college; EKU remains at this location today.
•Renaming In 1922, the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No.
•1 changed its name to Eastern Kentucky State Normal School and Teachers College, and the transformed college awarded its first degrees under that name in 1925.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

88Low

Estimated from KY state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K

169 mi(293 min)

Indianapolispop. 880K

172 mi(298 min)

Nashvillepop. 690K

175 mi(303 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CVG Cincinnati93 mi

BNA Nashville172 mi

CMH Columbus173 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA769 mi · ~22h 13m drive

New York, NY588 mi · ~16h 59m drive

Hartford, CT677 mi · ~19h 33m drive

Providence, RI739 mi · ~21h 21m drive

Albany, NY651 mi · ~18h 48m drive

Syracuse, NY564 mi · ~16h 18m drive

Rochester, NY513 mi · ~14h 49m drive

Buffalo, NY456 mi · ~13h 10m drive

Philadelphia, PA515 mi · ~14h 53m drive

Pittsburgh, PA297 mi · ~8h 35m drive

Harrisburg, PA435 mi · ~12h 34m drive

Newark, NJ580 mi · ~16h 45m drive

Washington, DC402 mi · ~11h 37m drive

Baltimore, MD429 mi · ~12h 24m drive

Atlanta, GA276 mi · ~7h 58m drive

Charlotte, NC259 mi · ~7h 29m drive

Raleigh, NC341 mi · ~9h 51m drive

Miami, FL862 mi · ~24h 54m drive

Orlando, FL658 mi · ~19h 1m drive

Tampa, FL685 mi · ~19h 47m drive

Nashville, TN175 mi · ~5h 3m drive

New Orleans, LA632 mi · ~18h 15m drive

Richmond, VA376 mi · ~10h 52m drive

Chicago, IL336 mi · ~9h 42m drive

Detroit, MI324 mi · ~9h 22m drive

Minneapolis, MN682 mi · ~19h 42m drive

St. Louis, MO326 mi · ~9h 25m drive

Kansas City, MO564 mi · ~16h 18m drive

Indianapolis, IN172 mi · ~4h 58m drive

Columbus, OH169 mi · ~4h 53m drive

Cleveland, OH294 mi · ~8h 30m drive

Milwaukee, WI412 mi · ~11h 54m drive

Dallas, TX783 mi · ~22h 37m drive

Houston, TX841 mi · ~24h 18m drive

Austin, TX926 mi · ~26h 45m drive

San Antonio, TX997 mi · ~28h 48m drive

Los Angeles, CA1906 mi · ~55h 4m drive

San Francisco, CA2068 mi · ~59h 45m drive

San Diego, CA1877 mi · ~54h 13m drive

Seattle, WA2025 mi · ~58h 30m drive

Portland, OR2032 mi · ~58h 42m drive

Denver, CO1121 mi · ~32h 23m drive

Phoenix, AZ1582 mi · ~45h 42m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1485 mi · ~42h 54m drive

Honolulu, HI4455 mi · ~128h 42m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Deadline Calendar

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