University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky · Public · 79.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 58/100 · Below Average Value
University of Louisville scores 58 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale -- a mixed result for a large public university. The score is pulled down primarily by a 61.2% completion rate and an 11.2-year payback period, while partially offset by a manageable $20,500 median debt and a 26.3% earnings premium over non-degree holders. The engineering programs are the clear financial standout: Biomedical Engineering ($84,311 at year four, A grade), Electrical Engineering ($77,732 year-one, A grade), and Mechanical Engineering ($71,169 year-one, B+ grade) all deliver strong returns against the $13,136 in-state tuition. Registered Nursing posts 267 graduates at $69,027 year-one (B+ grade). The university serves a broad population -- 14,727 enrollment, 30.6% Pell rate -- and the program mix ranges from excellent STEM and health outcomes to below-average returns in liberal arts and social sciences. Students who match into engineering, nursing, or business technology programs will find strong ROI. Students entering history, liberal arts, or music face debt-to-earnings ratios of 1.0 and above. In-state tuition of $13,136 is genuinely affordable and meaningfully changes the payback calculation for STEM-track students.
University of Louisville
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,136/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $29,482/yr |
| Average net price | $17,988/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $71,952 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,899 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 61.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,727 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Louisville is $13,136/year ($29,482/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $17,988/year, or roughly $71,952 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,138/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,186/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $217 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $53,899 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.54 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,138 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,601 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,419 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,995 |
| $110,001+ | $25,186 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the $0-$30,000 bracket pay $15,138 net price per year at Louisville -- a meaningful cost for a public institution, and notably higher than the in-state tuition of $13,136. This reflects fees and living costs exceeding the tuition-only figure. Low-income students in engineering or nursing programs will find the investment workable given strong earnings outcomes in those fields. Non-completing students face the worst outcomes from this investment.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $16,419 per year. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $20,995 -- roughly in line with or above in-state tuition, indicating minimal grant aid for middle- and upper-middle-income families. Middle-income families are essentially paying near-full in-state cost. At $13,136 in-state tuition, this is still affordable in context, but the 61.2% completion rate is the key risk variable.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $110,001+ bracket pays $25,186 per year at Louisville. This is significantly above in-state tuition, likely reflecting the cost of living and mandatory fees absorbed by students without aid. For high-income families, the net price is competitive, and the engineering programs deliver returns that justify the investment comfortably. Lower-earning programs do not.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Louisville with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $78,902 | B+ |
| Psychology | $51,387 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,496 | C |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $74,873 | B |
| Biology | $56,142 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,636 | C |
| Marketing | $68,074 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,399 | C |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,056 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $68,351 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering earns an A-grade ROI at Louisville: 35 graduates, $84,311 median four-year earnings, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.184 with median debt of $15,500. Year-one earnings data is not reported. The low debt relative to earnings makes this one of the strongest financial positions in the university's program set. Speed School biomedical graduates feed into regional healthcare technology and medical device industries.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering posts $77,732 year-one and $93,968 at year four, with A-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.171) and median debt of $13,311. This is a strong outcome at a public in-state tuition rate. The $13,311 debt figure is notably low -- reflecting a financing model that works well for engineering students who stay on track to four-year completion. Louisville EE graduates enter regional manufacturing, utilities, and technology sectors.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is the largest high-earning program at 267 graduates: $69,027 year-one, $78,902 at year four, and a B+ grade (debt-to-earnings 0.336) with median debt of $23,205. The Louisville metro healthcare market provides a strong hiring environment. Nursing graduates enter hospital systems quickly, which explains the year-one repayment trajectory. The debt figure is higher than the engineering programs but remains manageable against these earnings.
Psychology
Psychology earns a D-grade ROI: 258 graduates (the largest program by volume), $30,416 year-one, $51,387 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.773 and median debt of $23,500. At $30k year-one earnings, debt is difficult to service. Psychology graduates planning clinical or research careers will need additional graduate education, which means accounting for more years of cost. The program's large size reflects demand that does not align with near-term earning potential.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance at Louisville earns a B-grade ROI: 83 graduates, $52,167 year-one, $75,089 at year four, with median debt of $22,500 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.431. Against in-state tuition of $13,136, this is a reasonable financial outcome. Louisville business graduates enter the local banking and corporate finance market. The four-year trajectory to $75k is solid for a regional public university business program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 67.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 72.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 79.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 510-630 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 530-640 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-27 |
| Enrollment | 14,727 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,671 |
Louisville is broadly accessible at 79.4% admission. The SAT and ACT ranges are wide, reflecting the university's open-access mission. Admission to specific programs -- particularly Speed School of Engineering and the nursing program -- may carry additional requirements or higher standards than the university's general admission. Students targeting those fields should research program-specific entry requirements.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Louisville's Scorecard peers include Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Wayne State University, and Montana State. Among these regional public universities, Louisville's 58 ROI score reflects the challenge of operating a broad-access institution with highly variable program-level outcomes. Wayne State (Michigan) is a close comparison -- similar urban public university profile, similarly mixed ROI, and strong health sciences alongside weaker liberal arts returns. Eastern Kentucky University serves a more rural Kentucky population with more constrained earnings outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Louisville (this school) | 58 | $17,988 | $53,899 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 64 | $5,127 | $49,365 |
| Wayne State University | 61 | $12,766 | $53,493 |
| Montana State University | 52 | $22,499 | $53,263 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 39 | $11,040 | $45,795 |
| Kentucky State University | 9 | $8,040 | $36,382 |
Who Thrives Here
Louisville admits 79.4% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 510-630 Math and 530-640 Reading; ACT 19-27 composite. The open-access profile and large enrollment serve a wide range of students. Louisville's strong engineering programs (Speed School) and health sciences programs are the best financial entry points. Students seeking a traditional residential research university experience with professional programs in a mid-sized city will find a full campus. The 61.2% completion rate means students should actively plan for four-year completion from day one.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for University of Louisville is mixed. At $17,988 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $53,899 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Median debt of $20,500 against $53,899 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.