Eastern Kentucky University Reviews

  • 31 Reviews
  • Richmond (KY)
  • Annual Tuition: $20,222
85% of 31 students said this degree improved their career prospects
77% of 31 students said they would recommend this school to others
Start Your Online College Search:

Student & Graduate Reviews

T. Richards
  • Reviewed: 2/8/2022
  • Degree: Nursing
"Professors taught conflicting material, treated stidents like children in elementary school, and dog eat dog mindset of nursing was prevalent in EKU nursing school. I earned another degree from EKU and the experience great. The professors were accessible and actually wanted students to succeed. I passed my nursing classes, but know one thing before entering this major at EKU.......Do not expect support from these professors. As a matter of fact, do not state a differing opinion, question anything, or ask for help. Also, prepare for alot of passive aggressiveness by professors."
I/O Psych Grad Student
  • Reviewed: 9/22/2021
  • Degree: Psychology
"Current grad student. Love my program and professors but the administration at EKU is horrendous. But don't be quick to blame the staff - they are overworked, underpaid, and the lowest paid employees are typically doing the bulk of the student centered services. There is so much bloat in the overpaid upper administration that offices such as Financial Aid or Registrar are the ones who have to cut positions when budget cuts occur (which is almost yearly) even though they remain some of the busiest offices on campus. EKU is also lacking in their communications - offices are rogue in how they choose to convey information and there is no formal form of communication or adherence to policies that make understanding the various functions of each office any easier. EKU also admits students that are beyond ill-prepared for college, many needing remedial courses just to enter 100 level courses. I wouldn't be surprised if some students are barely at a high school reading level, even some in graduate courses. Colleges are businesses and will take your money at any chance, even if all the data is indicating you will fail and end up in thousands, if not tens of thousands, dollars of debt. If I had an 18yr old hesitant to go to college, I would encourage them to go to a trade school instead; more useful and more likely to succeed."
mekaela helton
  • Reviewed: 8/24/2019
  • Degree: Social Work
"I absolutely loved the social work program at Eastern Kentucky University. They did an amazing job at preparing us for our future careers. One thing that I did not necessarily like was the lack of preparation regarding licensure. There were very few conversations about how to obtain licensure as well as what licensure to obtain and when. This was something that myself, and a lot of others in my cohort were confused about upon graduation. However, the program overall was amazing as well as the professors. The university itself, definitely had some problems. I was paying around 4 grand to live in dorms that had not been renovated in decades. There were roaches, tiles coming up, water in the walls and other issues. For the amount I was paying, I was at least expecting the basics to be covered. I am sure that these problems occur at other universities and colleges as well."
Rebecca Monhollen
  • Reviewed: 6/24/2019
  • Degree: Psychology
"I had a rough start to this program, my advisor was less then helpful at first and my first meeting with him he suggested that I considered switching to a different program. The school had me down as undecided my first semester so I did not get to meet with him until my second semester when it came time register to for my classes. This was really discouraging to me considering that my grades for the prerequisite classes weren't bad and I was working a job while maintaining my grades. I thought about quitting due to this comment but instead it gave me more motivation to graduate in that program."
Emily Adkins
  • Reviewed: 4/30/2019
  • Degree: English
"I really enjoyed my time at Eastern Kentucky University. I chose it because it was the most affordable and sensible option to me at the time, and was close enough to my family for me to easily be able to balance time with them and time focusing on my studies and other new interests. I participated in the Honors program, the English Department, and the Psychology Department, and have nothing but positive things to say about my experiences in all three. I encountered caring and knowledgeable professors who greatly aided my education and personal/professional development. Kentucky's government does not always support higher education, which results in the governing bodies of EKU and similar universities making difficult decisions that sometimes cut resources or increase costs for students. However, this problem is not unique to EKU and is a challenge faced across the country. I loved my four years at EKU and would not have made a different choice if I could do it over again. The Honors Program especially was important to my personal and professional development, and I know I would not be the same person I am without it."
Current Student 2018
  • Reviewed: 4/16/2018
  • Degree: Fire Science
"I am a current student at EKU richmond campus. This year 2018 they decided to cut so many program wether its sports or academics to save money. I believe cutting these programs will not save money as they bring in students to pay for the degree. This campus will eventually become a community college (Already feels like it). The food at EKU is horrible. Housing is decent if you live in a new dorm if not to bad for you. Oh and listen to this there trying to save money but there building a second Rec center, and giving the older one to the football team; sounds like a waste of money for me!!! Campus is under construction and will be for years to come.. On Campus is terrible so now I gotta do online because its cheaper and I can have more fun at home!!!"
Jade Jacobs-Hathaway
  • Reviewed: 11/16/2017
  • Degree: Special Education
"I went to a larger university for a year and I felt like "just a number". At EKU, my professors knew my name and genuinely wanted me to succeed. My experience at EKU helped me grow in so many areas of life. College can be expensive but the experience and education I received were truly priceless!"
Johnson Stuart
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"If you give it your all you can get just as good of an education at this institution as anywhere else in the world."
Andrew Pendleton
  • Reviewed: 6/22/2017
  • Degree: Criminal Justice
"Eastern Kentucky University is an institution that I can't recommend highly enough. At EKU, students are treated like family from the moment they arrive on campus. Unlike other larger institutions, any questions students have can be easily and quickly answered by the extremely helpful staff. The class sizes are small enough to where personal relationships are formed with professors, which tremendously enhances the learning experience."
Frankie Howl
  • Reviewed: 4/21/2017
  • Degree: Education
"I went with EKU's MAT program for my alternative path towards teacher certification. Other than my activity inside a handful of high schools, all of my course work was online. I wish I had decided to run after the first semester instead of sticking it out. Each time they messed something up it was moderately worse than the previous mess-up. I was given bad information constantly, which led to so many problems. The professors are also advisors and clinical observers, meaning they do not have time to do any of their jobs thoroughly. My clinical observer said unethical things to me after observing my lessons; he was a bully. My graduation was also delayed due to an advising error. It has just been one big mess. I did my undergraduate studies at the state university and had zero problems."
CDM
  • Reviewed: 3/6/2017
  • Degree: Fitness Trainer
"Eastern Kentucky University prepared me well for my career in athletic training. I enjoyed six semesters of clinical experiences ranging from college sports teams to high school sports teams to a public health clinic to physical therapy. As I begin graduate school I feel that my experiences have prepared me to be the athletic trainer for a college football and baseball team."
Arissa McKee
  • Reviewed: 2/22/2017
  • Degree: Communications (Speech Pathology)
"The communication disorders program at Eastern Kentucky University has allowed me to feel prepared for not only graduate school, but my future field of study as well. By being able to do clinical experiences, I know how to handle clients and have fell in love with this profession. As an undergraduate student I have already worked with three clients and have also had the opportunity to work with a group setting in a school as well. At many other schools, students do not have as many opportunities for hands-on learning as I did. Also, Eastern Kentucky University is the only program in the state that offers a teaching certificate along with completing your Master's in Education in Communication Disorders, therefore you will get benefits that other students do not receive. The teaching staff is fantastic; the amount of diverse experiences they have allows students to get insight into all areas of the field. The curriculum is also above many other schools, since you take class at the undergraduate level that other programs are only offering at the graduate level. Eastern Kentucky University's communication disorders program is one of many in the state, but I must say it stands out far above the others."
LEK age 29
  • Reviewed: 1/3/2017
  • Degree: Criminal Justice
"I had a wonderful experience. My professors were helpful and caring. I have lots of great memories from this time, and valuable experiences."
moved on
  • Reviewed: 8/3/2016
  • Degree: Nursing
"Online students seem to be lower priority than brick-and-mortar ones, and the online program costs more. They take on more students than they can actually progress through the program with the number of educators they have, so a certain [percentage MUST fail or they will be breaching the contract. They use a lot of automated stuff and grad student mentors to guide class discussions in the first 2 semesters, after which I'd guess that "certain percentage" of dropouts bring the class down to a manageable size for real teachers after that..If it's that way at all online schools, it's not as apparent in most of them. If you have technical issues caused by their system, or the work projects they assign you to complete at your workplace are incompatible, they're not very responsive. A few professors are very knowledgeable, helpful and professional, but others are completely self-absorbed and thoughtless, it seemed. One ( a "Southern belle type) giggler whose webinars were more chatty sharing about her thoughts regarding her own career and student days) would actually tell online students that she couldn't talk when they needed urgent advice because she was "with students today"! The program was good in other ways, but being treated like a cash cow to support "in person" students wasn't appealing, once I knew. I moved on and am glad I did."
D.M.
  • Reviewed: 7/10/2016
  • Degree: Forensic Science
"Eastern Kentucky University is a great school and the science program is highly ranked in the nation. The campus of EKU is very diverse and it's a beautiful campus that is growing to accommodate all students. I highly recommend EKU, not ony for science, but the other great educational programs, such as Social Work; Criminal Justice, Nursing, etc."
Jamie Biddle
  • Reviewed: 6/11/2016
  • Degree: Homeland Security
"Eastern Kentucky University has a beautiful campus and great people; who are really geared toward your success. I just wish that some of the faculty had more experience in the field in which the course they are teaching applies to and that professors could not switch courses in the middle of a semester (professors with no fire service experience should NOT teach courses in the fire service majors). I also think that if the academic and enrollment advisors did not change so much it would be easier keeping track of your degree progress (I had 3 academic advisors in a 4 year period and every time you had to tell them what courses you are taking and have taken when it is their job responsibility to make sure the student is on track). I choose this school because of the professors and courses it offered because it is the best in the state for my major and while I am happy with the education I received I believe that some things should be changed to make it a better experience for future students."
Jenkat
  • Reviewed: 10/26/2015
  • Degree: Public Health
"I loved my school! They were very helpful and supportive during my degrees at EKU."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/4/2015
  • Degree: Psychology
"EKU was a great school. Professors were very helpful and the classes were engaging. The campus life was very active. There were lots of opportunities to meet new people and become enmeshed in campus life."
Alum/Former Employee
  • Reviewed: 4/29/2015
  • Degree: Geographic Information Systems
"Excellent GEO/GLY program. Taught mostly by people with real-world experience instead of dusty academics. On top of emerging technology; focuses on marketable skills instead of theory -- the goal is to graduate students ready for actual employment, and that is definitely what is happening. Access to educational trial software, professional testing, and professional organizations. Cannot say enough good things about EKU's geography & geology program."
Amy Spence
  • Reviewed: 4/3/2015
  • Degree: Occupational Therapy
"Students and faculty in the OT program are very supportive of one another. Most professors are quick to help out a student's issue. I have struggled adapting to the unstructured environment (Only around half of the professors are organized and prepared for class)."