Louisville vs. UC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Louisville vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or UC? 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 UC ($19,785 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 7.3% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($12,576 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 6.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $840 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Louisville than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $172 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (98% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 79.1% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($14,677 vs. $8,196).

Louisville vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 110 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming UC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 22.5% at UC.

Louisville vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $400 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $3,344 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($19,656 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($203 vs. $237).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 57%)

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.