Louisville vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

Louisville vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or LSU? 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 LSU ($19,785 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 16.9% lower than at Louisiana State University ($12,576 vs. $15,142).
• University of Louisville is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $1,182 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Louisville than at Louisiana State University (about $851 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Louisiana State University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University students ($14,677 vs. $14,094).

Louisville vs. LSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville or LSU? 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 LSU and Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 100 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming LSU 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: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 23% at LSU.

Louisville vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and LSU? 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).

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $1,244 lower median loan debt than LSU graduates ($19,656 vs. $20,900).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LSU graduates ($203 vs. $216).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.