University of Louisville vs Centre College: which has better ROI?
Centre College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $83,124 in 4.6 years versus 13 years at University of Louisville, on median earnings of $66,240 vs $53,899 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Louisville | Centre College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,988 | $20,781 |
| Total net cost | $71,952 | $83,124 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,899 | $66,240 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 13 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $38,828 | $274,476 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Louisville or Centre College?
University of Louisville, at $17,988 a year after aid versus $20,781 — a gap of $2,793 a year, or $11,172 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 Louisville or Centre College graduates earn more?
Centre College graduates report a median $66,240 ten years after entry, $12,341 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 Louisville or Centre College?
University of Louisville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Centre College, a difference of $6,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Centre College, 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.