Louisville vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisville is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Louisville vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than Louisville ($15,347 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 0.2% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,576 vs. $12,604).
• University of Louisville is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $2,688 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at Louisville than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $10,970 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $18,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (98% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 46.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($14,677 vs. $10,038).

Louisville vs. UTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville or UTC? 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 UTC and Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 50 points higher than at UTC (1110).
• Incoming Louisville students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UTC (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UTC (3.61).
• UTC has a higher acceptance rate (81.1%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Louisville vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and UTC? 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).

• University of Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $1,136 lower median loan debt than UTC graduates ($19,656 vs. $20,792).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTC graduates ($203 vs. $214).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.