Louisville vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Louisville vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($19,785 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 5.8% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,576 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $676 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Tennessee than at University of Louisville (about $3,774 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 28.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($14,677 vs. $11,434).

Louisville vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 130 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Tennessee 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 Louisville 1040/1270; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Louisville vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and Tennessee? 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 Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $344 lower median loan debt than Tennessee graduates ($19,656 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee graduates ($203 vs. $206).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.