Excellence in Action
Our Hornets are recognized locally and globally
Discover ESU's Excellence in Action
At ESU, students get real-world, hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for the workforce.
Great Outcomes
Over the past four years, an average of 96% of graduates found jobs in their field or went on to advanced degrees after graduation.
Most Awards in State
ESU science students have won 36 awards at the Kansas Academy of Sciences in the past 10 meetings for poster and oral presentations — more than any other university in Kansas.
Distinction
ESU earned College of Distinction designation for the innovative application of high-impact learning experiences at the undergraduate level. ESU remains the first and only public university in Kansas to earn this designation.
97% career outcomes
Four ESU business programs achieved a 100% career outcomes rate, with an overall average of 97% for the School of Business.
Best University for Latinos
Emporia State is recognized as a Top University for Latinos by Latino Leaders magazine. This recognition is for exceeding traditional practices and continuing to provide Latino students with helpful guidance and
Princeton Review Best Regional Colleges
Ranked in 2022 Best Regional Colleges by the Princeton Review.
Value + Affordability
Flat-rate tuition makes ESU an unbelievable value. In fact, ESU was ranked as one of the two most affordable colleges in Kansas by UniversityHQ.org in 2021.
Premedical Fellowship
Thanks to ESU friends and alumni who are medical professionals, ESU offers a $10,000 Premedical Fellowship for a single incoming freshman who will graduate from a Kansas high school and intends to follow the premedical track for preparation for medical school. The award is $2,500 each year.
Best Public Regional University
ESU was named #18 in the Top Public Universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.
Top Public University
Ranked #20 in the Top Public Schools, Regional Universities Midwest in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges 2022."
#2 in enrollment
Ranked No. 2 by Wichita Business Journal for MBA enrollment, both on ground and online, among Kansas universities.
Teacher of the year
Alumna Susanne Stevenson was named the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Stevenson teaches fourth grade in Dodge City.
Certificate of Excellence
For the sixth consecutive year, the Department of Nursing has received the Certificate of Excellence for first-time NCLEX-RN passage rates above state and national averages.
Public service
Alumna Lillian Lingenfelter was elected to the Emporia School Board. She joins a growing list of Communication alumni who hold elected office: Stephanie Clayton (Kansas State Representative) and Kyle Farmer (Pratt City Commissioner).
#1 online Master's in Accounting
Ranked #1 online master's in Accounting by intelligent.com.
Top 10%
Destinee O'Shea was recognized with an Honorable Mention for her live poster presentation in the 20th Annual K-INBRE Symposium. Only the top 10% of posters submitted were recognized during the conference.
100% Placement for Nurses
The ESU Nursing Program has a 100% placement rate for graduates.
National vice-commander
History alumna Col. Regena Aye was recently the second woman in history to be named national vice-commander in the Civil Air Patrol.
The Teachers College
Psychology alum Alex Vuyk received the 2021 “Emerging Scholar in Gifted Education Award” for the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.
Master Teacher
ESU alum Andy Battenfield is one of seven members of the 2022 Kansas Master Teachers. He earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2003 and his master’s degree in instructional design and technology in 2012.
Highest Ranked Kansas Public Regional Institution
In rankings released by U.S. News & World Report, Emporia State University was the highest ranked Kansas public regional institution as well as the only one that ranked in social mobility for its graduates. "Social mobility” in general refers to individuals’ and groups’ changes in social positions over time.
Athletics
Emporia State All-American and 2008 ABCA National Player of the Year, Keith Hernandez, was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame during the MIAA Awards Celebration.
School of Business
For the fourth year, the ESU School of Business qualified a winning team to compete at the Hult Prize Regional Finals in Spring 2021. The campus competition featured students of more than 12 nationalities and 15 different majors.
SLIM
SLIM student Krystal Gregory and alumna Holly Campbell-Polivka are recipients of the Safe School Award for their extraordinary work to help LGBTQ+ students feel safe in school by Oregon Safe Schools.
Athletics
Former Lady Hornet Kelly Moten was recently named the Eurobasket.com All-German DBBL Import Player of the Year and a First-Team All-German DBBL performer.
Longest-running
Emporia State Theatre has the longest-running Summer Theatre Program in the state of Kansas.
Honors College
Eleven Honors College students presented their academic work at the Great Plains Honors Council’s annual meeting in Oklahoma.