Louisville vs. WSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Wayne State University in Detroit, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Louisville vs. WSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or WSU? 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 Wayne State University than Louisville ($14,416 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 11.8% lower than at Wayne State University ($12,576 vs. $14,252).
• Wayne State University is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $2,054 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at WSU than at University of Louisville (about $2,555 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville as at Wayne State University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($14,677 vs. $12,953).

Louisville vs. WSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 10 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming WSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Wayne State University 1060/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Wayne State University 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; WSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 22.4% at WSU.

Louisville vs. WSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and WSU? 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University 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 $2,602 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($19,656 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($203 vs. $230).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 38%)

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.