Alabama vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Alabama vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 University of Louisville than Alabama ($19,785 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 16.2% lower than at The University of Alabama ($12,576 vs. $15,016).
• University of Louisville is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $956 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at Alabama than at University of Louisville (about $4,690 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at The University of Alabama (98% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 19.3% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($17,503 vs. $14,677).

Alabama vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 130 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

Alabama vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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).

• The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $4,094 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($19,656 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($203 vs. $245).
• More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 58%)

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.