Head-to-head · 2026
Centre College vs University of Louisville
Compare average net price ($20,781 at Centre College; $17,988 at University of Louisville), ROI score (7.97 vs 7.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($66,240 vs $53,899), and admissions selectivity (54.4% acceptance at Centre College; 79.4% at University of Louisville) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Centre College | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.97 ✓ | 7.49 |
| Avg net price | $20,781 | $17,988 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $83,124 | $71,952 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $52,820 | $13,136 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $52,820 | $29,482 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $66,240 ✓ | $53,899 |
| Acceptance rate | 54.4% | 79.4% |
| Graduation rate | 80.7% ✓ | 61.2% |
| Retention rate | 87.5% ✓ | 81.5% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,400 | 14,727 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1352 | 1150 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Centre College | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,364 ✓ | $15,138 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,388 ✓ | $14,601 |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,847 ✓ | $16,419 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,920 ✓ | $20,995 |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,571 | $25,186 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Centre College | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 15.1% | 0.1% |
| Psychology, General | 7.4% | 3.8% |
| Biology, General | 6.6% | 2.8% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.7% | 1.6% |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6.6% | 0.4% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 6.3% | 0.3% |
| History | 5.4% | 0.5% |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 4.6% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Louisville reports the lower average net price by $2,793 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,172 difference over four years ($71,952 vs $83,124).
Centre College reports $12,341 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($66,240 vs $53,899). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 87.5% at Centre College and 81.5% at University of Louisville. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Centre College vs University of Louisville, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Louisville is cheaper — average net price $17,988 per year vs $20,781 at Centre College. The annual difference of $2,793 adds up to about $11,172 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Centre College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $66,240 vs $53,899 at University of Louisville. The gap in the federal data is $12,341. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Centre College is more selective at 54.4% acceptance vs 79.4% at University of Louisville.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.