University of Massachusetts-Amherst (UMass) vs Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Eastern Kentucky University, while both offering quality education, have distinct characteristics that set them apart. UMass-Amherst boasts a higher acceptance rate, a larger and more diverse student body, and a wider range of academic programs, including highly ranked ones in engineering, business, and computer science. Eastern Kentucky University, on the other hand, offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes and a focus on undergraduate teaching. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into specific details and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Eastern Kentucky University logo

Eastern Kentucky University

University of Massachusetts-Amherst logo

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Overview

Location Richmond, Kentucky Amherst, Massachusetts
Campus setting Town: Distant Suburb: Large
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% 91.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 98.3% 65.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $85
SAT range 950 - 1180 1250 - 1460
ACT range 18 - 24 28 - 33
Students submitting SAT score 4.0% 26.0%
Students submitting ACT score 88.0% 5.0%
Total number of applicants 7,251 42,540
Total number of admissions given out 7,131 27,877
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,493 4,872
Yield rate 35.0% 17.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,762

Out of state: $34,034
In state: $32,434

Out of state: $52,959
Average net price $14,271 $17,291
Tuition
In state: $9,452

Out of state: $19,724
In state: $15,791

Out of state: $36,316
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $5,416

Meal plan: $3,994
Room/dormitory: $7,611

Meal plan: $5,984
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

98.0%
Average amount $9,891
86.0%
Average amount $10,662
Students receiving federal student loan 49.0%
Average amount $4,950
39.0%
Average amount $5,123
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $10,455
7.0%
Average amount $15,924

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 11,684
Men 40.6% Women 59.4%
24,231
Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students 2,300
Men 30.0% Women 70.0%
7,814
Men 47.9% Women 52.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Very Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 1.1% 11.1%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 4,479 13,582
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 New York New Jersey Connecticut California New Hampshire

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Liberal Arts
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Health Professions
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.8% 83.7%
Dropout rate 48.5% 5.1%
Transferred out 1.6% 10.5%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $112,236
  • Year 2: $99,741
  • Year 3: $118,959
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $97,497
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $105,578
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,216
  • Year 2: $78,232
  • Year 3: $95,030
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,683
  • Year 2: $75,518
  • Year 3: $94,055
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,391
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $79,970
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,906
  • Year 2: $67,202
  • Year 3: $79,007
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,222
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $76,636
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,607
  • Year 2: $68,647
  • Year 3: $74,913
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,719
  • Year 2: $65,594
  • Year 3: $74,578
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,571
  • Year 2: $63,646
  • Year 3: $73,746

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