Louisville vs. WKU

University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Louisville
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Louisville (79.4% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1160 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $19,785 at Louisville.
  • Graduation: Louisville 51% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Louisville $45,200 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Louisville Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Louisville more selective
Louisville79.4%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Louisville higher
Louisville1040-1270
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $7,237 less
Louisville$19,785
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $1,484 less
Louisville$13,136
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $2,482 less
Louisville$29,482
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
Louisville +1 pts
Louisville51%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Louisville +$8,100
Louisville$45,200
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Louisville 15,668
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Louisville 12,442
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Louisville 79.4%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Louisville 25.1%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Louisville 1160
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Louisville 23
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Louisville 3.64
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Louisville A-
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Louisville Average
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Louisville
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Louisville 1040-1270
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Louisville 19-27
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Louisville Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Louisville Feb 15, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Louisville $13,136
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Louisville $29,482
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Louisville $12,576
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Louisville $19,785
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Louisville $14,677
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Louisville 98%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Louisville 51%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Louisville $45,200
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Louisville 58%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Louisville $19,656
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Louisville $203
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Louisville 14:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Louisville
    • Business (18%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Louisville Louisville, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Louisville Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Louisville 23,065
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Louisville Public 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Louisville #408
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Louisville is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 16,291 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 0% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,576 vs. $12,582).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Louisville than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,482 more per year; $29,482 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Louisville (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($14,677 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Louisville than at WKU (23 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Louisville and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Louisville average a 3.64 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at WKU (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $4,594 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($19,656 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($203 vs. $250).
  • More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 47%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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