RICHMOND, Ky. — Eastern Kentucky University has reached a new milestone.

According to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, EKU led the state’s regional public universities in degree-seeking students.

Amya Kendrick is from western Kentucky, but she chose to attend EKU — a four-hour drive from home — where she's a junior public relations major. 

“When I got to campus, I felt that connection immediately," Kendrick said. "We have such a community-based area, and I think that really influenced my decision to come." 

Kendrick is a first-generation college student and said EKU’s affordability put the university at the top of her list. EKU BookSmart provides textbooks to all degree-seeking students, which has lowered the cost of attendance by nearly 10%, according to the university.

“We come here alone not knowing how to navigate, but having that affordability off of our shoulders definitely relieves the process of coming here alone," Kendrick said.

According to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, 14,565 EKU students were considered degree-seeking in fall 2024. That number increased from 13,992 in fall 2023.

EKU President David McFaddin said it has been nearly a decade since it has led the way among similar universities.

“I think it’s a great testament to the hard work of the faculty and staff, really the whole team here at EKU," McFaddin said.

The goal is to make college accessible to all types of students while offering a high-level education, McFaddin added. 

“Affordability and the program that you want to pursue, the career that you want, are really the two things that drive students’ decision-making the most," he said.

Kendrick said EKU is home. 

“We’re a bunch of different students from a bunch of different places, but there’s never not a day where we don’t come together," Kendrick said.

EKU retained first-time students at a rate of 88.7% from the fall 2024 semester to the spring 2025 semester.