Principia College vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois 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 Principia College based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Principia College vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College 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 Principia College than Louisville ($18,248 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 9.6% lower than at Principia College ($12,576 vs. $13,910).
• Principia College is 164% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $21,544 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at Principia College than at University of Louisville (about $5,198 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Principia College (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 107.1% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($30,402 vs. $14,677).

Principia College vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia College or Louisville? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Louisville and Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 10 points higher than at Principia College (1150).
• Incoming Louisville students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 1040/1250; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 19/23; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Louisville students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Louisville? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Louisville's six-year graduation rate is 51%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Principia College.
• Graduates from University of Louisville have median earnings of about $45,200 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Principia College.

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.