Arkansas State vs Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)

Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Arkansas State, located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to Eastern Kentucky's 78% in Richmond, Kentucky. While Eastern Kentucky has a slightly larger student body, Arkansas State offers a more diverse student population. Both universities excel in various academic areas, with Arkansas State known for its strong programs in nursing, business, and education, while Eastern Kentucky shines in fields like aviation, social work, and criminal justice. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique offerings, including graduation rates, tuition costs, and available student services, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Arkansas State University	Eastern Kentucky University
Overview
Location	Jonesboro, Arkansas	Richmond, Kentucky
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	75.0%	74.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	63.3%	98.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	1030 - 1200	950 - 1180
ACT range	20 - 26	18 - 24
Students submitting SAT score	2.0%	4.0%
Students submitting ACT score	89.0%	88.0%
Total number of applicants	5,835	7,251
Total number of admissions given out	3,693	7,131
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,301	2,493
Yield rate	35.2%	35.0%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,703 Out of state: $29,271	In state: $23,762 Out of state: $34,034
Average net price	$13,560	$14,271
Tuition	In state: $5,232 Out of state: $10,800	In state: $9,452 Out of state: $19,724
Room & board	$9,640	Room/dormitory: $5,416 Meal plan: $3,994
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $11,264	98.0% Average amount $9,891
Students receiving federal student loan	53.0% Average amount $5,098	49.0% Average amount $4,950
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $9,249	5.0% Average amount $10,455

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,241 Men 37.9% Women 62.1%	11,684 Men 40.6% Women 59.4%
Graduate students	4,622 Men 29.6% Women 70.4%	2,300 Men 30.0% Women 70.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	13.4%	N/A
International students	4.8%	1.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	3,200	4,479
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arkansas Missouri Tennessee Texas Florida	Ohio Illinois Indiana West Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Liberal Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Communication and Journalism	Health Professions Education Law Enforcement and Firefighting Liberal Arts Engineering Technologies
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	53.8%	47.8%
Dropout rate	17.1%	48.5%
Transferred out	26.7%	1.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $118,704 Year 2: $135,614 Year 3: $142,090 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $68,394 Year 2: $68,422 Year 3: $72,609 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,156 Year 2: $58,142 Year 3: $63,281 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $49,331 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $63,119 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $58,131 Year 3: $62,428 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,829 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $61,766 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,334 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $61,498 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,368 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $59,662 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,639 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $59,484 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $55,539 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $59,037	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $113,532 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,123 Year 2: $90,291 Year 3: $95,519 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,935 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,046 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,209 Year 2: $74,105 Year 3: $74,692 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,585 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $71,030 Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $54,959 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $62,961 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,605 Year 2: $49,019 Year 3: $62,600 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,959 Year 2: $60,523 Year 3: $61,708 Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,702 Year 2: $49,787 Year 3: $58,036 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,745 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $57,935

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Arkansas State University (A-State) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)?

Arkansas State University (A-State) is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and is known for its strong programs in agriculture, business, and communication disorders. Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), situated in Richmond, Kentucky, excels in criminal justice, education, and nursing. A-State has a more rural setting compared to EKU, which is closer to larger metropolitan areas like Lexington. EKU also has a stronger emphasis on serving military veterans and their families.
Where are Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University located?

Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in the northeastern part of the state. Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, Kentucky, which is in the central part of the state, near Lexington.
What are the academic strengths of Arkansas State University?

Arkansas State University is particularly strong in areas like agriculture, business administration, communication disorders, and engineering. They offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in these fields, with dedicated faculty and modern facilities.
What are the academic strengths of Eastern Kentucky University?

Eastern Kentucky University is well-regarded for its programs in criminal justice, education (particularly teacher preparation), nursing, and aviation. EKU has a long history of providing high-quality professional programs and is known for its commitment to student success.
How do the campus environments compare between A-State and EKU?

A-State offers a more traditional, rural campus environment, while EKU's campus is located in a more suburban setting with closer proximity to larger cities. Both universities offer a range of student activities and organizations, but the overall atmosphere and surrounding community differ.
Which university is larger, Arkansas State University or Eastern Kentucky University?

Eastern Kentucky University generally has a slightly larger student population compared to Arkansas State University. However, enrollment numbers can fluctuate, so it's best to check the most recent official data from each university for the most accurate comparison.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at A-State and EKU?

Both Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University offer a variety of financial aid options, including federal grants, state grants, loans, and scholarships. Scholarship opportunities are often based on academic merit, talent, or specific program enrollment. It's recommended to visit the financial aid websites of both universities to explore the specific options available and eligibility requirements.
How do the athletic programs compare between Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University?

Arkansas State University's athletic teams, known as the Red Wolves, compete in NCAA Division I (FBS for football) as part of the Sun Belt Conference. Eastern Kentucky University's athletic teams, the Colonels, also compete in NCAA Division I (FCS for football) and are part of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Both universities offer a range of varsity sports, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level.
What are the admission requirements for Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and a review of academic transcripts. Specific requirements may vary depending on the program of study and the applicant's academic background. It's best to consult the admissions websites of both A-State and EKU for the most up-to-date information.
Does either university have a strong focus on serving military veterans?

While both universities support veterans, Eastern Kentucky University has a particularly strong reputation for serving military veterans and their families. EKU offers dedicated resources, programs, and support services tailored to the unique needs of veteran students.
What are the typical tuition costs at Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state) and the specific program of study. It's best to consult the official websites of Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University for the most current tuition and fee schedules. Keep in mind that tuition costs are subject to change.
What student life activities are available at Arkansas State University and Eastern Kentucky University?

Both universities offer a wide range of student life activities, including student organizations, clubs, intramural sports, cultural events, and campus traditions. A-State and EKU both have active student governments and offer opportunities for students to get involved in campus leadership and community service.

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