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Head to head · Kentucky

University of Kentucky vs University of Louisville

Which of these costs less depends on what you earn. At $48–75k and below, University of Kentucky is the cheaper of the two; from $75–110k up, University of Louisville is. Sticker price shows none of this.

What each actually costs, by household income

Household incomeUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of LouisvilleDifference
Under $30k$12,182$15,138$2,956
$30–48k$12,119$14,601$2,482
$48–75k$16,313$16,419$106
$75–110k$21,192$20,995$197
Over $110k$26,781$25,186$1,595

Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.

Should your student retake the SAT? The honest math →

Think you make too much for aid? The real income cutoffs, measured →

Four years, at $75–110k

University of Kentucky$89,324
University of Louisville$88,494
Difference over four years$830

Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.

Getting in

Published acceptance rate93% · 79%
Average SAT1215 · 1150

Listed University of Kentucky first, then University of Louisville. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.

After graduation — federal data

Median earnings, 10 yrs out$59,025 · $53,899
Graduate in four years55% · 44%
Typical graduate's own federal debt$22,500 · $20,500

Again University of Kentucky first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.

These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.

Compare them for your student →

Go deeper on either school

University of Kentucky — every income band · University of Louisville — every income band · All Kentucky public colleges