Louisville vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisville is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 16,291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Louisville vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville or WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University than Louisville ($12,548 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 0% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,576 vs. $12,582).
• University of Louisville is 12.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $1,484 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Louisville than at Western Kentucky University (about $2,482 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at University of Louisville (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($14,677 vs. $10,921).

Louisville vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 210 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming Louisville students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at WKU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Louisville vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville and WKU? 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 Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Western Kentucky University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $4,594 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($19,656 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($203 vs. $250).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

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.