West Virginia University (WVU) vs Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
West Virginia University (WVU) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) are two public universities located in the Appalachian region of the United States. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but there are some key differences between the two schools. WVU has a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while EKU has a lower cost of attendance and a higher graduation rate. Additionally, the two universities have different popular majors, with WVU being known for its engineering and business programs and EKU being known for its nursing and education programs. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the best fit for you, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that highlights the key differences between WVU and EKU.
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![]() Eastern Kentucky University |
![]() West Virginia University |
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Overview |
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Location | Richmond, Kentucky | Morgantown, West Virginia |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
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 | 74.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 98.3% | 89.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 950 - 1180 | 1030 - 1230 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 21 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | 57.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 88.0% | 38.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,251 | 17,074 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,131 | 15,336 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,493 | 4,313 |
Yield rate | 35.0% | 28.1% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,762
Out of state:
$34,034
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In state:
$21,756
Out of state:
$38,100
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Average net price | $14,271 | $13,422 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,452
Out of state:
$19,724
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In state:
$8,976
Out of state:
$25,320
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,416
Meal plan:
$3,994
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Room/dormitory:
$6,184
Meal plan:
$5,504
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $9,891 |
89.0%
Average amount $10,867 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $4,950 |
52.0%
Average amount $5,294 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $10,455 |
15.0%
Average amount $16,332 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11,684
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
19,599
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Graduate students |
2,300
Men 30.0% Women 70.0% |
5,875
Men 44.4% Women 55.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 55.3% |
International students | 1.1% | 5.3% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,479 | 6,956 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Ohio Illinois Indiana West Virginia | West Virginia Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland Ohio |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 47.8% | 63.9% |
Dropout rate | 48.5% | 11.3% |
Transferred out | 1.6% | 22.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (First Professional Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
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