Eastern vs. Spalding

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Spalding University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Spalding based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Spalding University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Spalding University 9:1.

Eastern vs. Spalding Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or Spalding? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Eastern Kentucky University than Spalding ($12,279 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 20.9% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($9,710 vs. $12,268).
• Spalding University is 182.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $18,880 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at Spalding than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $7,970 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $21,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University than at Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spalding University students is 69.4% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($19,429 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Spalding Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern or Spalding? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Spalding and Eastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Kentucky University (980) is 20 points higher than at Spalding (960).
• Incoming Eastern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Spalding).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Spalding - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 15.6% at Spalding.

Eastern vs. Spalding Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern and Spalding? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $1,305 lower median loan debt than Spalding graduates ($23,695 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.