University of Louisville — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Louisville charges a net price of $17,988/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $71,952. Graduates earn a median $53,899 ten years after entry, $5,539/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 13 years — a 20-year net return of $38,828, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Louisville's 13-year payback ranks #904 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 29% of them, and #7 of 51 in Kentucky.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,988/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $71,952 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $53,899 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,539/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 13 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $38,828 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Louisville's own numbers. Net price $17,988 × 4 years = $71,952 total. Median earnings $53,899 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,539 a year of premium. $71,952 ÷ $5,539 = 13 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $38,828. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Louisville students graduate with?
A median $20,500 in federal loans among completers, or 38% of the $53,899 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Louisville students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $71,952 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $117,954 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Louisville expensive compared with other Kentucky colleges?
Its $17,988 net price runs $3,881 above the $14,107 median across the 51 Kentucky colleges we profile, or $15,524 more across the full degree.