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

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

Acceptance rate
81%
15,668 applicants
Avg SAT
1120
Mid 50: 1010–1230
In-state tuition
$12,828
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$17,634
after aid, what families pay

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 81%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1147 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,634 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Louisville is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for University of Louisville?

University of Louisville has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

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 the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important1 factor
  • Standardized test scores
Considered8 factors
  • Class rank
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
Not Considered7 factors
  • Interview
  • Character/personal qualities
  • First generation status
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Level of applicant's interest

SAT and ACT scores University of Louisville typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–620, 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 $12,828 for in-state students and $29,174 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,690 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,634 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 29% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition
Room and board
Average net price (after aid)$17,634
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?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

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

Other colleges in Kentucky parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of Louisville

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of Louisville recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about University of Louisville

What GPA do I need for University of Louisville?

University of Louisville has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

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

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 510–620, 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 $17,634 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is University of Louisville realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of Louisville is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Louisville, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.