University of Louisville
University of Louisville — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Louisville at a Glance
The University of Louisville (UofL) is a public research university in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is part of the Kentucky state university system. Chartered in 1798 as the Jefferson Seminary, it became in the 19th century one of the first city-funded public colleges in the United States. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General Assembly to be a "Preeminent Metropolitan Research University".
1798
228 years old
$1.1B
$1.07 billion (FY 2025)
25,005
18,053 undergrad · 6,952 grad
1,787
345 acres
Identity
Is University of Louisville Worth It?
University of Louisville offers moderate value at $17,988/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,899, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 61% graduation rate means roughly 39% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Louisville compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #62 of 103 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #62 | University of Louisville | 46 | $17,988 | $53,899 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Louisville's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in KY.
Best Programs at University of Louisville
The highest-earning program at University of Louisville is Chemical Engineering at $71,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Anthropology at $21,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from University of Louisville earns $71,800, while a Anthropology graduate earns $21,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $21,424 in median debt vs. $24,250 for Anthropology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,988/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $71,800 | $71,800 | $21,424 |
| Computer Engineering | $66,600 | $66,600 | $28,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $66,200 | $66,200 | $24,700 |
| Civil Engineering | $60,500 | $60,500 | $24,886 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,400 | $60,400 | $20,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $60,000 | $60,000 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $58,100 | $58,100 | $20,044 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,700 | $50,700 | $18,902 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $49,600 | $49,600 | $18,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,700 | $46,700 | $20,697 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,900 | $42,900 | $19,500 |
| Marketing | $40,500 | $40,500 | $19,500 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $36,100 | $36,100 | $18,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,800 | $34,800 | $18,195 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,600 | $34,600 | $20,852 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,900 | $31,900 | $22,164 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,200 | $31,200 | $22,790 |
| Sociology | $30,600 | $30,600 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $19,750 |
| Social Work | $29,000 | $29,000 | $16,110 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $22,374 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,900 | $27,900 | $20,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $27,500 | $27,500 | $24,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $22,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,300 | $26,300 | $24,562 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $25,600 | $25,600 | $19,742 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,600 | $25,600 | $25,250 |
| History | $25,200 | $25,200 | $24,450 |
| Anthropology | $21,700 | $21,700 | $24,250 |
Similar Colleges in KY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Louisville, KY
- Student Body
- 14,727 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,988
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,899
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500