Eastern Kentucky University is a student-centered, comprehensive public university dedicated to high-quality instruction, service and scholarship. After 100 years of higher education on the Richmond campus, the University's role has grown far beyond its original mission of teacher education. With 168 degree programs, the University serves 16,000 students from 40 states and 30 countries on its beautiful main campus and at educational centers throughout the region, as well as via distance education and online. Intercollegiate and intramural sports, the fine and performing arts, plus more than 200 other campus organizations provide students with many opportunities to get involved in campus life, make new friends, and develop leadership skills.
The Colonels Community
Our focus is on students, their needs, and their SUCCESS! We are a comprehensive university offering 168 degree programs and serving more than 16,000 students, yet we haven't lost that small-college feel. With a student-faculty ratio of just 17-1 and a strong emphasis on student success, EKU offers its students the personal attention they need to succeed. Classes are generally small. Our professors will take a genuine interest in how you're doing. There's no getting lost in the crowd here. You won't be just a face in the crowd when it comes to campus life, either. There's always something going on to capture your interest and help you make new friends. You can get involved in one of the 220 student organizations, play intramural sports (EKU offers over 50 varsity, club, and intramural sports), try out for a play or a musical group... whatever your interests are, there's something here for you. EKU offers the leading fitness and wellness facility of any university in Kentucky.
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
Basic Type
Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
Size and Setting
Large four-year, primarily residential
Enrollment Profile
Very high undergraduate
Undergraduate Profile
Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
Undergraduate Instructional Program
Professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence
Graduate Instructional Program
Postbaccalaureate comprehensive
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Undergraduate Profile
| Total Undergraduate Students | 13,991 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 8,001 | 57% |
| Men | 5,990 | 43% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| International | 77 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 243 | 2% |
| African American / Black | 744 | 5% |
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 43 | <1% |
| Asian / Pacific Islander | 167 | 1% |
| Hispanic | 151 | 1% |
| White | 12,566 | 90% |
| Geographic Distribution (Degree-Seeking) | |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | 86% |
| Other US States & Territories | 13% |
| Other Countries | 1% |
| Age (Degree-Seeking) | |
| Average Age | 23 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 24% |
Undergraduate Success and Progress Rate
A 70% four-year success and progress rate means that 70% of students starting in Fall 2003 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2003 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 2,485 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 990 Full-Time Transfer Students
Retention of Fall 2008 First-Time, Full-time Students
First-time students in Fall 2008 that returned for their second year: 68%
Costs of Attendance and Financial Aid
Typical Undergraduate Costs per Year without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $17,370
The cost to attend Eastern Kentucky University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
Financial Aid Awarded to Undergraduates
Annual Need-Based Scholarships & Grants
• 41% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $5,949
Annual Need-Based Loans
• 52% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,139
Percent of 2007-08 First-Time Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
Academic Preparation of New Freshmen
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Middle 50% of Test Score Range | ACT |
|---|---|
| Composite | 19 - 23 |
| Math | 17 - 23 |
| English | 18 - 24 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top of graduating class Data Not Available | \||
| Average High School GPA Data Not Available | ||
Study At EKU
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 17 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 80% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 96% |
| Full-Time Instructional Faculty | |
|---|---|
| Total Faculty | 673 |
| % Women | 49% |
| % from Minority Groups | 10% |
| % with Highest Degree in Field | 75% |
Campus Safety
Eastern Kentucky University is committed to enhancing the quality of life by providing a safe and secure living, learning, and working environment through professional service to the community. Our goal is to create and maintain community partnerships in an effort to make campus safety an important cornerstone of the University. A proactive approach is taken towards maintaining a safe and secure campus by preventative patrols, community programs, and implementing safety initiatives, including a campus-wide emergency notification systems.
Degrees and Areas of Study
| Degrees awarded at Eastern Kentucky University in 2008-09 | |
|---|---|
| Associate's | 195 |
| Bachelor's | 2,128 |
| Master's | 726 |
| Total | 3,049 |
| Areas of study with the largest number of bachelors degrees awarded in 2008-09 | |
|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8% |
| Nursing | 8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 7% |
| Education, General | 5% |
Student Experiences and Perceptions
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 93% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 55% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 24% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 81% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 18% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 51% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 54% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 8% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 96% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 96% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 75% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 68% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 96% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 61% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 81% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 98% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 77% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 64% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 88% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 59% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 87% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 88% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 86% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Student Learning Assessment at Eastern Kentucky University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Results from the assessment of student learning are not yet available.
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
Results from the 09-10 CAAP are not yet available.