Louisville vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Louisville vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or VCU? 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 VCU ($19,785 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 31.1% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($12,576 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $3,809 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36% higher at VCU than at University of Louisville (about $10,627 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Virginia Commonwealth University (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($14,677 vs. $14,186).

Louisville vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 20 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Louisville vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and VCU? 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $3,594 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($19,656 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($203 vs. $240).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.