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University of Kentucky vs University of Louisville: which has better ROI?

Public, Lexington KY · vs · Public, Louisville KY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Kentucky has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,404 in 7.1 years versus 13 years at University of Louisville, on median earnings of $59,025 vs $53,899 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of Louisville
Net price / yr$18,851$17,988
Total net cost$75,404$71,952
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,025$53,899
Median debt$22,500$20,500
Payback7.1 yrs13 yrs
20-year net return$137,896$38,828

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Kentucky or University of Louisville?

University of Louisville, at $17,988 a year after aid versus $18,851 — a gap of $863 a year, or $3,452 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Kentucky or University of Louisville graduates earn more?

University of Kentucky graduates report a median $59,025 ten years after entry, $5,126 more than the $53,899 at University of Louisville. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Kentucky or University of Louisville?

University of Louisville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Kentucky, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at University of Kentucky, against 61% at University of Louisville. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of Kentucky vs University of Louisville: frequently asked questions

Is University of Kentucky or University of Louisville a better value?
University of Kentucky. It clears its $75,404 net cost in about 7.1 years versus 13 years at University of Louisville, on median earnings of $59,025 vs $53,899 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Kentucky or University of Louisville?
University of Louisville: $17,988/yr net price after aid versus $18,851/yr at University of Kentucky — a difference of $863 a year, or about $3,452 over four years.
Do University of Kentucky or University of Louisville graduates earn more?
University of Kentucky graduates earn a median $59,025 ten years after entry, versus $53,899 at University of Louisville — a $5,126 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.