The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of the total expenses a typical student would incur during one academic year. This estimate encompasses not only tuition and fees but also incorporates basic living expenses. It is often referred to as the student’s ‘budget,’ as the Cost of Attendance determines a student’s eligibility for need-based aid and serves as the maximum limit on the amount of financial aid a student can receive per federal regulations throughout the academic year.
Consequently, a student’s actual expenses may differ from those listed on their award letter.
However, it’s important to note that financial aid, which includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work-study, etc., cannot exceed the established budget.
The cost of attendance is further broken down into billable and non-billable items.
What Is Included in My COA?
The cost of attendance is made up of two different types of costs, billable and non-billable items. This includes: tuition, fees, room and board, required textbooks, personal, and transportation costs.
Billable Items
- Tuition: These figures reflect the cost of tuition and fees for a student taking 12-18.5 credits during each of the Fall and Spring semesters (which is considered full time). This does not include specific course fees and parking fees.
- Fees: These are fees as determined by the Board of Regents and Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The Special Use fee and Asset Preservation are applied to all students, whereas the Eastern Experience and Student Health fee are dependent on the student attending courses on-campus(credit hours apply). More information on this can be found here.
- Room and Meals: EKU calculates this figure by using the weighted average of a double-occupancy room on campus and the 5-day meal plan per federal regulations(3 meals per day). Specific rates depend on which residence hall and meal plan a student selects. Residence hall rates can be found here and meal plans can be found here. Even students who do not live on campus are budgeted for room and board to offset any living expenses.
Non-Billable Items
- Required Textbooks: Due to the BookSmart Program, EKU provides 100% free textbooks for all degree-seeking students!
- Personal: This is an estimate of costs for personal expenses for the year. Money actually spent on these types of items will vary from student to student. These items will not appear on the student’s EKU bill.
- Transportation: This is an estimate of the cost of traveling to and from campus or the cost of operating and maintaining a vehicle. This does not include a parking permit, which will be directly billed to the student’s account.
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance 2024-2025
This is the finalized Cost of Attendance for Fall 2024-Spring 2025.
|
Semester Cost (Full time) |
Year Cost (Full time) |
|
| Tuition | $5,010 | $10,020 |
| Fees | $630 | $1,260 |
| Room & Meals | $6,134 | $12,268 |
| Required Textbooks* | $0 | $0 |
| Personal** |
|
$2,100 |
| Transportation** |
|
$1,546-$2,576 (off-campus) |
| Total Costs | $13,597 – $14,112 | $27,194 – $28,224 (off campus) |
*EKU’s BookSmart program lowers the cost of required textbooks to $0 for all degree-seeking students. More information about EKU BookSmart is available at https://www.eku.edu/admissions/books/
**These costs represent estimates of annual expenses. They will not be charged by the University.
–
| Semester Cost | Year Cost | |
| Tuition | $10,465 | $20,930*** |
| Fees | $630 | $1,260 |
| Room & Meals | $6,134 | $12,268 |
| Required Textbooks* | $0 | $0 |
| Personal** |
|
$2,100 |
| Transportation** |
|
$2,576 |
| Total Costs | $17,229 | $39,134 |
*EKU’s BookSmart program lowers the cost of required textbooks to $0 for all degree-seeking students. More information about EKU BookSmart is available at https://www.eku.edu/admissions/books
**These costs represent estimates of annual expenses. They will not be charged by the University.
***Full-time students could qualify for the Out-of-State Rate of $9,810, bringing their yearly tuition down to $11,120!
|
Semester Cost |
Year Cost |
|
| Tuition | $5,010 | $20,930 |
| Fees | $630 | $1,260 |
| Room & Meals | $6,134 | $12,268 |
| Required Textbooks* | $0 | $0 |
| Personal** | — | $2,100 |
| Transportation** | — | $1,546 – $2,576 (off-campus) |
| Insurance | $600 | $1,200 |
| Total Costs | $19,652 – $20,167 | $39,304 – $40,334 |
*EKU’s BookSmart program lowers the cost of required textbooks to $0 for all degree-seeking students. More information about EKU BookSmart is available at https://www.eku.edu/admissions/books
**These costs represent estimates of annual expenses. They will not be charged by the University.
| Kentucky Residents | Out of State and International Students | |
| Tuition | $418 per credit hour | $872 per credit hour |
| Special Use Fee | $75 per credit hour | $75 per credit hour |
| Asset Preservation Fee | $60 per credit hour | $60 per credit hour |
| Required Textbooks* | $0 | $0 |
The Eastern Experience Fee is paid by any student enrolled in 5+ credit hours on the Richmond Campus. This is a flat fee of $450.
*EKU’s BookSmart program lowers the cost of required textbooks to $0 for all degree-seeking students. More information about EKU BookSmart is available at https://www.eku.edu/admissions/books
Graduate Cost of Attendance
EKU’s graduate programs are charged per hour based on the program and campus. All costs can be determined by the Graduate Education and Research department, and the estimated costs can be found here.