Eastern vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisville is larger than Eastern based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 15,673 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Eastern vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or Louisville? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Louisville ($12,279 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 2.4% lower than at University of Louisville ($12,268 vs. $12,576).
• University of Louisville is 27.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $2,816 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at Louisville than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $8,252 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $21,230.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University as at University of Louisville (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 28% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($14,677 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 180 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Louisville students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Eastern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

Eastern vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern and Louisville? 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 Eastern Kentucky University's (38%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $4,039 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($19,656 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($203 vs. $245).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

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.