Eastern Kentucky University

Welcome to your new Kentucky home
Students who choose Eastern Kentucky University do so for many reasons. Most are attracted to one of EKU’s nationally recognized majors, while others are drawn in by EKU’s affordability, location, or individual attention from faculty. Whatever their reasons, most students soon come to view EKU as their second home thanks to its supportive, inclusive community.

“EKU feels like a second home to me because I have so many people here that I consider family. My friends, my professors—if I go home, I miss them, the same as I miss my family when I come here.”

— Alize Davis
Child and Family Studies

Degrees that work
EKU provides a strong liberal arts curriculum in practical degree programs that create marketable, real-world skills. The University is also known for balancing classroom learning with hands-on experience. For example, Professional Flight students earn flight hours in a fleet of Piper and Cessna aircraft. Nursing students practice lifesaving skills in simulation environments with some of the most advanced technology in Kentucky. Forensic Science students investigate complex staged crime scenes, gather evidence, and test it in trace evidence, toxicology, and biological laboratories. More than 6,000 employers have worked with EKU to provide internships and co-op opportunities that provide work experience (and often a paycheck) to students.

A school where teachers teach
Student success is the top priority at EKU. Nearly 98% of faculty hold terminal degrees, and most have spent time or are still working in their fields. They strive to pass on their knowledge and experience to students with a strong emphasis on mentoring and relationship building. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio allows professors and advisors to get to know their students on a first-name basis. EKU faculty don’t teach students what to think but how to think critically and creatively and how to communicate well.

“EKU professors know what their students are capable of, and they don’t want to see any less. Yesterday might have been hard, but today will be easy because my professors helped me grow and made me better.”

— Robert Kellems
Criminal Justice

Expand your world
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons through EKU’s study abroad programs and numerous exchange programs with institutions worldwide. Even if you choose to complete all your studies within the United States, you’ll grow from your interactions on campus with a diverse student body that includes students from all 50 states and 44 countries. 

“I didn’t expect to meet so many people from around the world in Richmond, Kentucky. But I’ve got friends from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Spain, California, and Texas. I’ve met a lot more people than I realized I would.” 

— Larissa Heslop
Anthropology

The Campus Beautiful
EKU’s main campus in Richmond, Kentucky, is celebrated for its scenic beauty. The grounds are awash in colorful flowers or bold fall colors much of the year. Within the natural scenery, you will live and learn in a mix of brand-new facilities and historic buildings. More than a dozen new or renovated structures have recently been completed, including suite-style residence halls, a modern dining hall, Kentucky’s largest Science Building, and a new student recreation center. It’s for good reason that EKU is called “The Campus Beautiful.”

Centrally located
Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington, is 25 miles north of campus, and several states and other cities are within an easy two-hour drive. Many students find that being two to three hours from home is the perfect distance to gain independence while still visiting their families occasionally. If you prefer natural areas to city life, EKU is near Kentucky’s horse country and the Appalachian Mountains, where you can find some of America’s best hiking, rock climbing, and other outdoor adventures.

Just the right size
EKU is a midsize university with 15,816 students. Close-knit communities are easily formed within EKU’s academic programs, residence halls, 230 student organizations, nationally acclaimed Honors Program, and more. There’s no shortage of ways to make connections, and your circle of friends and mentors will be as big as you want it to be.

“EKU feels big, but you can walk across campus and see so many familiar faces. Everyone knows everyone. It’s so comfortable here.” 

— Bridgette Thompson
Pre-occupational Therapy 

Financial aid opportunities
Merit Scholarships are awarded automatically based on academic achievement and pay for up to nearly 90% of tuition. Additional awards are available based on high school dual-credit coursework and Advanced Placement test scores, and scholarships with separate applications—such as diversity and departmental scholarships—are plentiful. EKU’s Selective Merit Aid/Reduced Tuition (SMART) Program provides a $10,300 annual tuition rate to many out-of-state students. To qualify for the SMART rate, students must have a 2.5 unweighted cumulative GPA and reside in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or Washington, DC.  

See for yourself
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 visit option that suits you, or check out the Virtual Campus Experience at ku.edu/#virtualtour.