Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Kentucky University vs University of Louisville
Compare average net price ($8,191 at Northern Kentucky University; $17,988 at University of Louisville), ROI score (15.33 vs 7.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,220 vs $53,899), and admissions selectivity (67.7% acceptance at Northern Kentucky University; 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 | Northern Kentucky University | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.33 ✓ | 7.49 |
| Avg net price | $8,191 ✓ | $17,988 |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,764 ✓ | $71,952 |
| In-state tuition | $11,088 | $13,136 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,912 | $29,482 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,220 | $53,899 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 67.7% | 79.4% |
| Graduation rate | 52.2% | 61.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.5% | 81.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 8,246 | 14,727 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1087 | 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 | Northern Kentucky University | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,603 ✓ | $15,138 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,630 ✓ | $14,601 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,761 ✓ | $16,419 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,679 ✓ | $20,995 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,522 ✓ | $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 | Northern Kentucky University | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 29.1% | 6.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.8% | 1.5% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 7.3% | 4.5% |
| Social Work | 3.8% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.4% | 7.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.3% | 2.7% |
| Psychology, General | 2.6% | 3.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.4% | 4.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Kentucky University reports the lower average net price by $9,797 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $39,188 difference over four years ($32,764 vs $71,952).
University of Louisville reports $3,679 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,899 vs $50,220). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Northern Kentucky University and 81.5% at University of Louisville. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 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
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Frequently asked
Northern Kentucky University vs University of Louisville, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern Kentucky University is cheaper — average net price $8,191 per year vs $17,988 at University of Louisville. The annual difference of $9,797 adds up to about $39,188 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Louisville reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,899 vs $50,220 at Northern Kentucky University. The gap in the federal data is $3,679. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Northern Kentucky University is more selective at 67.7% 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.