Louisville vs. Ohio State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Ohio State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

Louisville vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or Ohio State? 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 Ohio State University Main Campus than Louisville ($19,783 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 14.7% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($12,576 vs. $14,738).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $108 more per year; $13,244.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.8% higher at Ohio State than at University of Louisville (about $10,540 more per year; $40,022.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Ohio State University Main Campus (98% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 11.6% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($14,677 vs. $13,151).

Louisville vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 240 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Ohio State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ohio State 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 Ohio State (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

Louisville vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and Ohio State? 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).

• Ohio State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 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 Ohio State graduates ($19,656 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ohio State graduates ($203 vs. $222).
• More Ohio State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.