University of Louisville vs Jefferson Community and Technical College: which has better ROI?
University of Louisville has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,952 in 13 years versus not at all at Jefferson Community and Technical College, on median earnings of $53,899 vs $38,171 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Louisville | Jefferson Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,988 | $6,376 |
| Total net cost | $71,952 | $25,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,899 | $38,171 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $11,651 |
| Payback | 13 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $38,828 | -$229,284 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Louisville or Jefferson Community and Technical College?
Jefferson Community and Technical College, at $6,376 a year after aid versus $17,988 — a gap of $11,612 a year, or $46,448 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 Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Louisville graduates report a median $53,899 ten years after entry, $15,728 more than the $38,171 at Jefferson Community and Technical College. 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 Jefferson Community and Technical College?
Jefferson Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $11,651 in federal loans versus $20,500 at University of Louisville, a difference of $8,849. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at University of Louisville, against 35% at Jefferson Community and Technical College. 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.