Louisville vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Virginia University is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Louisville vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Louisville ($15,169 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 13.8% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,576 vs. $14,582).
• University of Louisville is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $3,032 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Louisville than at West Virginia University (about $874 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at West Virginia University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 18.7% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($14,677 vs. $12,363).

Louisville vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 40 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming Louisville students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at WVU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WVU (3.45).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Louisville vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and WVU? 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).

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University 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 $4,345 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($19,656 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($203 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.