Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Eastern Kentucky University at a Glance
Eastern Kentucky University is a public university in Richmond, Kentucky, United States. It also maintains branch campuses in Corbin, Hazard, and Manchester and offers over 40 online undergraduate and graduate options.
1874
152 years old
$107M
$107 million (2025)
15,673
13,448 undergrad · 2,225 grad
563
Identity
Is Eastern Kentucky University Worth It?
Eastern Kentucky University offers moderate value at $11,040/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $45,795, which is 15% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Eastern Kentucky University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in KY
Ranked #39 of 121 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #39 | Eastern Kentucky University | 52 | $11,040 | $45,795 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Eastern Kentucky University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in KY.
Best Programs at Eastern Kentucky University
The highest-earning program at Eastern Kentucky University is Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians at $64,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $20,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduate from Eastern Kentucky University earns $64,400, while a Biology, General graduate earns $20,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $31,229 in median debt vs. $22,629 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,040/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $64,400 | $64,400 | $31,229 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,000 | $57,000 | $22,250 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $54,600 | $54,600 | $20,157 |
| Construction Management | $54,500 | $54,500 | $24,694 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $49,200 | $49,200 | $25,625 |
| Fire Protection | $46,500 | $46,500 | $28,750 |
| Insurance | $42,800 | $42,800 | $26,694 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $41,500 | $41,500 | $27,531 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $37,700 | $37,700 | $24,741 |
| Air Transportation | $37,200 | $37,200 | $17,505 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $36,700 | $36,700 | $30,652 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,100 | $36,100 | $23,375 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $35,400 | $35,400 | $27,857 |
| Homeland Security | $35,100 | $35,100 | $27,000 |
| Marketing | $33,800 | $33,800 | $23,174 |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $32,800 | $32,800 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $31,400 | $31,400 | $21,393 |
| Social Work | $30,300 | $30,300 | $25,150 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $29,900 | $29,900 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,700 | $29,700 | $26,149 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,500 | $29,500 | $22,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,200 | $29,200 | $20,550 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $21,320 |
| Public Health | $27,800 | $27,800 | $26,128 |
| Psychology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,800 | $25,800 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,800 | $25,800 | $22,487 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $25,100 | $25,100 | $25,257 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $25,000 | $25,000 | $30,500 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $24,000 | $24,000 | $22,646 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $22,100 | $22,100 | $26,129 |
| American Sign Language | $22,100 | $22,100 | $25,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,700 | $21,700 | $28,500 |
| History | $21,400 | $21,400 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $20,900 | $20,900 | $25,220 |
| Biology, General | $20,200 | $20,200 | $22,629 |
Similar Colleges in KY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Richmond, KY
- Student Body
- 12,318 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,040
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,795
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500