Head-to-head · 2026
University of Kentucky vs University of Louisville
Compare average net price ($18,851 at University of Kentucky; $17,988 at University of Louisville), ROI score (7.83 vs 7.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,025 vs $53,899), and admissions selectivity (92.9% acceptance at University of Kentucky; 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 | University of Kentucky | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.83 ✓ | 7.49 |
| Avg net price | $18,851 | $17,988 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $75,404 | $71,952 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,502 | $13,136 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,140 | $29,482 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,025 ✓ | $53,899 |
| Acceptance rate | 92.9% | 79.4% |
| Graduation rate | 71.4% ✓ | 61.2% |
| Retention rate | 86.8% ✓ | 81.5% |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $20,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 24,763 | 14,727 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1215 | 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 | University of Kentucky | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,182 ✓ | $15,138 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,119 ✓ | $14,601 |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,313 ✓ | $16,419 |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,192 | $20,995 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $26,781 | $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 | University of Kentucky | University of Louisville |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 7% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.9% | 7.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.1% | 6.1% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 5.4% | 4.5% |
| Psychology, General | 3.2% | 3.8% |
| Marketing | 4.2% | 2.3% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.5% | 3.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.5% | 4.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Louisville reports the lower average net price by $863 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,452 difference over four years ($71,952 vs $75,404).
University of Kentucky reports $5,126 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,025 vs $53,899). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.8% at University of Kentucky and 81.5% at University of Louisville. Median federal debt among completers is $22,500 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
University of Kentucky 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 $18,851 at University of Kentucky. The annual difference of $863 adds up to about $3,452 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Kentucky reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,025 vs $53,899 at University of Louisville. The gap in the federal data is $5,126. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Louisville is more selective at 79.4% acceptance vs 92.9% at University of Kentucky.
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.