Eastern vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kentucky is larger than Eastern based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 15,673 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Eastern vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or Kentucky? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Kentucky ($12,279 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 23.4% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,268 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 30.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $3,182 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.8% higher at Kentucky than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $12,910 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $21,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at University of Kentucky (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($12,898 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or Kentucky? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Kentucky and Eastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 200 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Eastern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Eastern vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern and Kentucky? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $945 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($22,750 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($235 vs. $245).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.