Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky · Public · 12,318 undergraduates · eku.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Admit rate
78%
of applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
880 to 1080
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$28,730Est.Estimate
$30,430 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at Eastern Kentucky University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
78% of applicants admitted
Target
Your SAT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$30,430
a year in 2027-28, from a $30,430 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 980
Send your score
Your SAT is at or above the median of freshmen who sent scores (980).
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
Source: Admissions | Eastern Kentucky University (How to Apply: First Time Students) · Checked October 17, 2026
Application deadlines
- Aug1Rolling admission · August 1, 2027Applications are reviewed as they arrive.
Who gets in
78%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
SAT total 880 to 1080
Reading and Writing 440 to 530
Math 440 to 550
ACT composite 19 to 25
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$28,730
a year, in state
$30,430
a year, out of state (tuition $14,120)
- Tuition (in state)$12,420
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$10,080
- $30,001 to $48,000$9,346
- $48,001 to $75,000$9,840
- $75,001 to $110,000$13,484
- Over $110,000$18,544
Financial aidEstimate
1%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
98%
of freshmen receive grants
$11,468
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Regent's Award
$9,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.80+ GPA, 1310+ SAT or 28+ ACT
Deadline: Admitted by March 1; accept by June 1. To keep it: a 3.2 college GPA, pass 24 credit hours at the college, and stay a full-time student.
DetailsPresident's Award
$7,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.80 to 4.00 GPA, no test required
Deadline: Admitted by March 1; accept by June 1. To keep it: a 3.2 college GPA, pass 24 credit hours at the college, and stay a full-time student.
DetailsOne Eastern Award
$5,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.40 to 3.79 GPA, no test required
Deadline: Admitted by March 1; accept by June 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, pass 24 credit hours at the college, and stay a full-time student.
DetailsExcellence Award
$3,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.00 to 3.39 GPA, no test required
Deadline: Admitted by March 1; accept by June 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, pass 24 credit hours at the college, and stay a full-time student.
Details
Show 1 more scholarships
Promise Award
$1,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 2.00 to 2.99 GPA, no test required; learning contract
Deadline: Admitted by March 1; accept by June 1. To keep it: a 3.0 college GPA, pass 24 credit hours at the college, stay a full-time student, and meet the requirements of your learning contract.
Details
Kentucky programs for residents
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
State program · In-state students
$36/year bonus (added to base award)
- 2.75+ GPA, 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 15 / SAT 830-870; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 880+ SAT or 16+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 16 / SAT 880-910; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 920+ SAT or 17+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 17 / SAT 920-950; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 960+ SAT or 18+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 18 / SAT 960-980; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 19 / SAT 990-1020; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 20 / SAT 1030-1050; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 21 / SAT 1060-1090; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 22 / SAT 1100-1120; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 23 / SAT 1130-1150; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 24 / SAT 1160-1190; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 25 / SAT 1200-1220; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1230+ SAT or 26+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 26 / SAT 1230-1250; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 27 / SAT 1260-1290; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 28+ / SAT 1300-1600; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, Base award (GPA only; no test component); Graduate of certified KY high school; meet KEES curriculum requirements; not a convicted felon, from Kentucky
- 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, Homeschool / non-certified school / KY GED graduates (test-only award); KY homeschool or non-certified school graduate, or KY GED earned between ages 18 and 23
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
43 of 43
Earn credit with a score of 3
41 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,240Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 152 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 153 |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | AFA 201 |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ART 200 |
| Biology | 3 | 3 | BIO 100: Introductory Biology |
| Biology | 4 | 4 | BIO 111: Cell and Molecular Biology |
| Biology | 5 | 8 | BIO 111: Cell and Molecular Biology and BIO 112: Ecology and Evolution |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 4 | MAT 234: Calculus I |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 4 | MAT 234: Calculus I |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 8 | MAT 234: Calculus I and MAT 244: Calculus II |
| Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 3 | 4 | MAT 234: Calculus I |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHE 101: Chemistry in Everyday Life and CHE 101L: Introductory Chemistry Lab |
| Chemistry | 4 | 4 | CHE 111: General Chemistry I and CHE 111L: General Chemistry Lab |
| Chemistry | 5 | 8 | CHE 111/111L: General Chemistry I/General Chemistry I Lab and CHE 112/112L: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Lab II |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | FLS 101: Language Topics ___ & FLS 102: Language Topics ___ |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POL 212: Introduction to Comparative Politics |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 | CSC 170: Intro to Game Programming |
| Computer Science A | 4 | 3 | CSC 190: Object-Oriented Programming |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | CSC 178: Programming in: Selected Languages |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 100 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 101: Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric |
| English Language and Composition | 5 | 6 | ENG 101: Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric & ENG 102: Research, Writing, and Rhetoric |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 101 or 110 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | EHS 280: Global Environment Public Health |
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIS 101: World Topics Since 1500 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | FRE 101: Conversational French I, French 102: Conversational French II, and FRE 201: Intermediate Conversational French I |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | FRE 101: Conversational French I, French 102: Conversational French II, FRE 201: Intermediate Conversational French I, and FRE 202: Intermediate Conversational French II |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | FRE 101, 102,201,202 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | GER 101: Conversational German I, GER 102: Conversational German II, and GER 201: Intermediate Conversational German I |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | GER 101, GER 102, GER 201 and GER 202 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEO 100 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 6 | FLS 101: Language Topics 1 and FLS 102: Language Topics 2 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | FLS 101,102 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | JPN 101, 102 & 201 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | JPN 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| Latin | 3 | 6 | LAT 101 & 102 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 231 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 230 |
| Music Aural Subscore | 4 | 1 | MUS 161 |
| Music Aural Subscore | 5 | 2 | MUS 161, 162 |
| Music Non-Aural Subscore | 4 | 1 | MUS 161 |
| Music Non-Aural Subscore | 5 | 2 | MUS 161, 162 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUS 181 |
| Music Theory | 4 | 6 | MUS 181 & 182 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 3 | PHY 101 |
| Physics 1 | 5 | 5 | PHY 131 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 3 | PHY 101 |
| Physics 2 | 5 | 5 | PHY 132 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 3 | PHY 101 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 5 | 5 | PHY 202 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 3 | PHY 101 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 5 | PHY 201 |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 5 | MAT 122 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSY 200 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | ENG 102 or ENG Elective at 200 level, if credit for ENG 102 exists |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 9 | SPA 101, 102 & 201 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 12 | SPA 101, 102, 201 & 202 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 5 | 12 | SPA 101, 102, 201, 202 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 310 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | STA 215 |
| Statistics | 4 | 3 | STA 270 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | POL 101 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HIS 102 & 103 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | HIS 101 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
51%
Come back for a second year
77%
Typical earnings
$50,885
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Eastern Kentucky University$83,618
- All colleges$90,887
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 43 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Eastern Kentucky University. The Eastern Kentucky University logo is a trademark of the college.