UIC vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago 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 Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

UIC vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than Louisville ($10,852 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 23.8% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($12,576 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $1,202 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at UIC than at University of Louisville (about $402 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at University of Illinois Chicago (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 14.2% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($16,755 vs. $14,677).

UIC vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 80 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming UIC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UIC (3.41).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

UIC vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $906 lower median loan debt than Louisville graduates ($18,750 vs. $19,656).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Louisville graduates ($193 vs. $203).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.