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Eastern Kentucky University ranks second among all public universities in Kentucky in Washington Monthly’s annual “Best Bang for the Buck” rankings, scoring highest in the category of earnings performance.

Only Murray State University ranked higher overall in the survey, which the magazine calls its “exclusive list of schools that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.”

The rankings compare graduation rate, Pell performance, first-generation performance, earnings performance, net price of attendance for families with an income of below $75,000 and predicted repayment rate.

“EKU is committed to helping every student reach his or her full potential,” said Dr. Eugene Palka, vice president for student success at EKU. “Our student services, programs and activities are, therefore, designed to promote personal growth, as well as academic success.”

Seventy-six percent of EKU degree holders are employed in Kentucky a year after graduation, the highest percentage among all public four-year universities in the Commonwealth. Eighty-four percent of EKU graduates with bachelor’s degrees are employed five years post-graduation.

The “Best Bang” survey is one of three ways that Washington Monthly ranks colleges and universities based on their contributions to the public good, according to the magazine’s web site. The magazine also rates schools on research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs) and service (encouraging students to give back to their country).

With enrollment near record levels, Eastern is in the midst of a comprehensive revitalization initiative designed to transform the learning and living experience for its students. For more information about EKU, visit www.eku.edu.

From Eastern Kentucky University