University of Louisville: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Louisville, Kentucky · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
79%
15,668 applicants
Median SAT
1120
Mid 50: 1010–1230
In-state tuition
$13,136
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$17,988
after aid, what families pay
Is University of Louisville a reach, target or safety for your student?Check your chances free

Or open University of Louisville in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.

Quick answer

University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky that admits about 79% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $17,988 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 61% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 11.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of Louisville is a public institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Louisville admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 79%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1120 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,988 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University of Louisville?

54% of enrolled students at University of Louisville had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.6, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
37.0%
3.75–3.99
17.0%
3.50–3.74
16.0%
3.25–3.49
12.0%
3.00–3.24
10.0%
2.50–2.99
8.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Louisville.

What does University of Louisville weight in admissions?

University of Louisville reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important1 factor
  • Standardized test scores

SAT and ACT scores University of Louisville typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1010
50th percentile1120
75th percentile1230
% submitting SAT18.2%
ACT Composite
25th percentile19
50th percentile23
75th percentile27
% submitting ACT84.8%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

How much does University of Louisville actually cost?

Published tuition is $13,136 for in-state students and $29,482 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,576 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,988 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 31% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition
Room and board
Average net price (after aid)$17,988
Application fee$30 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Louisville

Regular admission
Regular deadlineAugust 1
Notification dateNotification on a continuous/rolling basis (December 1)

Will my child graduate from University of Louisville?

These predict outcomes at University of Louisville better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
81.5%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
43.7%
finished on time
6-year graduation
61.2%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of Louisville

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Louisville, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Louisville confers roughly 1,493 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $73,116 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing281$73,116
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness228$52,717
Psychology, General221$47,915
Communication and Media Studies177$51,634
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas174$56,902
Criminal Justice and Corrections144$58,354
Marketing135$70,079
Computer and Information Sciences, General133
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of Louisville safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Louisville disclosed 169 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 11.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
169
11.5 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
14
0.95 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
5
0.34 per 1,000
Burglary
25
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 14,727 enrolled.

Other colleges in Kentucky parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for University of Louisville

Common questions parents ask about University of Louisville

What GPA do I need for University of Louisville?

54% of enrolled students at University of Louisville had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.6, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Louisville typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–27.

How much does University of Louisville actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Louisville after grants and scholarships is $17,988 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,136 and $29,482 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of Louisville realistic for my child?

University of Louisville admits 79% of applicants, so 510–630 SAT Math is target range and below 510 is a reach. Then check the $17,988 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Louisville?

University of Louisville accepts about 79% of applicants out of roughly 15,668 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is University of Louisville test-optional?

Yes. University of Louisville is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at University of Louisville?

About 61% of students at University of Louisville graduate within six years, and 44% finish in four years. 82% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of Louisville look for in applicants?

University of Louisville rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is University of Louisville a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of Louisville is a public institution located in Louisville, Kentucky.

What are the most popular majors at University of Louisville?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of Louisville by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,493 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of Louisville safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of Louisville reported 169 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 11.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Louisville, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers