Eastern Kentucky University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,795 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,040 B
- 36% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.5 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $25.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,083,488.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Eastern Kentucky University Matters
Eastern Kentucky University is a public doctoral / professional university in Richmond, KY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 12,318
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Eastern Kentucky University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 880–1080. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,040 a year after grants and scholarships — 36% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,795 ten years after enrolling — 12% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 47% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.47 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 12,300 students and an acceptance rate of 78%, Eastern Kentucky University is an accessible option for those looking to dive into a variety of fields. Students here often gravitate towards programs in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Humanities. This diverse range means that whether you're drawn to analytical challenges or creative pursuits, there’s likely a place for you to thrive.
Looking at life after graduation, graduates from EKU see a median earning of $45,795 a decade after finishing their degree. That's a solid starting point, especially considering the supportive academic environment that aims to help students succeed. While the graduation rate sits at 50%, many who do complete their degrees manage to find stable employment and build fulfilling careers. Affordability is also a key factor; the net price of attending EKU after financial aid is $11,040, making it a viable option for many families.
When it comes to finances, students often graduate with a median debt of $22,500. This is manageable for many, especially given the relatively low net price of attendance. Those who typically thrive at EKU are students who are motivated and ready to engage with their studies, taking advantage of both the resources available and the community atmosphere. The blend of affordability and a supportive environment makes it a great choice for those looking to start their journey into higher education.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky
- #7 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #7 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Kentucky
- #8 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #9 Best Psychology Colleges in Kentucky
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Eastern Kentucky University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Eastern Kentucky University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Richmond, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,149. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1149
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 880–1080
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,826
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.35
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 15,821
- Admitted
- 10,174
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Eastern Kentucky University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Eastern Kentucky University is $21,230, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,040. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,591 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,320
- Out-of-State
- $21,230
- Avg Net Price
- $11,040
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,591
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,005
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,382
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,009
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Eastern Kentucky University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $45,795, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $38,611
- 8 Years
- $43,614
- 10 Years
- $45,795
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (656)
- 33%
- 100% (656)
- 33%
- 100% (656)
- 33%
- 100% (656)
- 33%
How Eastern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Eastern Kentucky University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Eastern Kentucky University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,040/year ($44,160 total). Graduates earn $45,795 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,127,648 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,083,488 (25.5× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $44,160
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,127,648
- Net Return
- $1,083,488
- ROI Multiple
- 25.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,040
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Eastern Kentucky University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Eastern Kentucky University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.52%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.52%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $69,700
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Eastern Kentucky University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Health Professions 13%
- Criminal Justice 11%
- Psychology 10%
- Humanities 9%
- Education 4%
- Social Sciences 2%
- Biology & Biomedical 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Eastern Kentucky University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Eastern Kentucky University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Richmond, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,149. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Eastern Kentucky University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Eastern Kentucky University is $21,230, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,040. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,591 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is Eastern Kentucky University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $45,795, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Eastern Kentucky University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Eastern Kentucky University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.52%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $69,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Eastern Kentucky University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Eastern Kentucky University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Eastern Kentucky University.
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · Close peer55% grad $43,889 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of MemphisMemphis, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,458 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LA · Close peer52% grad $47,089 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC · Close peer57% grad $48,160 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC · Close peer50% grad $47,258 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Eastern Kentucky University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Eastern Kentucky University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.47, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note