Kentucky vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 23,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Kentucky vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky or Louisville? 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 University of Louisville than Kentucky ($19,785 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 21.5% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,576 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $366 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at Kentucky than at University of Louisville (about $4,658 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at University of Kentucky (98% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 13.8% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($14,677 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky or Louisville? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Louisville and Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 20 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Kentucky 21/28; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Louisville students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

Kentucky vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky and Louisville? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $3,094 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($19,656 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($203 vs. $235).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

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.