Arkansas vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arkansas is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (33,610 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR (Small City setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas 20:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Arkansas vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas 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 Arkansas than Louisville ($18,408 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 11.7% lower than at University of Arkansas ($12,576 vs. $14,244).
• University of Louisville is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than Arkansas (about $3,032 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Arkansas than at University of Louisville (about $484 more per year; $29,966.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at University of Arkansas (98% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 66.7% larger than aid received by University of Arkansas students ($14,677 vs. $8,804).

Arkansas vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 30 points higher than at Arkansas (1130).
• Incoming Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 1030/1220; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas 21/28; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Arkansas Aug 1, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Arkansas students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Arkansas (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.2% at Arkansas vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

Arkansas vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arkansas 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 Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Arkansas earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $1,844 lower median loan debt than Arkansas graduates ($19,656 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arkansas graduates ($203 vs. $222).
• More Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.