KY State vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, 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 KY State based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Kentucky State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky State University 10:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

KY State vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 Kentucky State University than Louisville ($9,397 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 30.9% lower than at University of Louisville ($8,686 vs. $12,576).
• University of Louisville is 39.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $3,749 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.9% higher at Louisville than at Kentucky State University (about $15,824 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Kentucky State University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 41.9% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($14,677 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 240 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming Louisville students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at KY State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

KY State vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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 Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $9,344 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($19,656 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($203 vs. $299).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 24%)

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.