Eastern Kentucky University

Invest in your future
When you consider value, Eastern Kentucky University rises to the top with our combination of quality and affordability. EKU is widely praised for academic rigor and for the financial return you’ll receive on your investment.

Best of both worlds
Whether you’re seeking the peace and quiet of a small town or the buzz of a large city, you can find it here. Our main campus is located in Richmond, Kentucky, a fast-growing but still quiet community of 33,500 where the Bluegrass Region and all its scenic horse farms meet the foothills of the rugged Appalachian Mountains. Just 25 miles north, an easy drive on I-75, is Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington, population 314,500. Other large cities within an easy two-hour, all-interstate drive are Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Knoxville, Tennessee.

Not too big, not too small
You’ll discover that EKU, with 16,881 students, is large enough to offer all the academic choices (108 undergraduate degree programs with many options) and extracurricular activities you expect from a university this size, yet small enough to retain a personal touch. With a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, you’ll be treated as an individual.

Culture of caring
Our distinguished faculty and dedicated staff take a personal interest in your success. The emphasis at EKU is on teaching and mentoring, and most of your classes will be taught by full-time faculty. You’ll also be assisted along the way by a vast network of student support services such as first-year programs, an accredited cooperative education program, and career services.

Think creatively and critically, and communicate well
Once you graduate, the qualities that will set you apart from your peers are proven abilities to think critically and creatively and to communicate well. This truth applies to all disciplines and careers, and it’s why you will see an intentional effort by our faculty to develop and hone the skills in our students that employers most desire. 

Honors: a national leader
EKU’s Honors Program consistently leads all other college and university honors programs in the United States in participation in regional and national conferences. Whatever your major, this nationally respected program for academically talented and highly motivated students can add another dimension to your Eastern experience. The Honors Program stresses even more the development of your critical- and creative-thinking and communication skills and provides numerous presentation opportunities on the national stage. 

Expand your world
You’ll have the opportunity to widen your horizon through EKU’s study abroad program and numerous exchange programs with institutions worldwide. Even if you choose to complete all of your study within the United States, you’ll grow just from your interaction on campus with a diverse student body that includes nearly 300 international students along with students from all 50 states. 

Make friends, play hard
Yes, we take your academic growth and success seriously, but we also know that if you’re making new friends and enjoying activities outside the classroom, you’ll enhance your overall college experience. That’s why we offer over 230 clubs and organizations, numerous intramural sports and outdoor adventures, an active Greek life, Living Learning Communities in our residence halls, and meaningful community service opportunities. You can also enjoy some of the world’s leading entertainers at our spacious on-campus Center for the Arts.

The Campus Beautiful
One of the first things you’ll notice about our Richmond campus is its beauty. The attractively landscaped grounds are awash in colorful flowers much of the year, and an occasional winter snow—we average about 12 inches a year—paints the campus in a different light. Our outstanding facilities include a new science building that has drawn raves from students. It’s for good reason EKU is called “The Campus Beautiful.”

See for yourself
Oftentimes seeing is believing, so plan your visit now to experience firsthand why EKU is a special place that feels like home. Go to admissions.eku.edu/visit to find a time that suits you best. Visit the Virtual Campus Experience at virtualtour.eku.edu to hear from our current students why they chose EKU and what makes it such a great place to begin your educational journey.