Louisville, KY · Private University
Is University of Louisville Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$53,899
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,828
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,174
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$116,696
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.85x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.7%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,634
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Louisville graduates earn $8,899 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Louisville ranked by graduate earnings
46 graduates
43 graduates
49 graduates
85 graduates
104 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Louisville
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Louisville, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $90,870) and the lowest (Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies: $29,990) is $60,880/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $90,870 | 3.1x |
| Computer Engineering | $90,398 | 3.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $84,273 | 2.9x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $83,948 | 2.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,885 | 2.8x |
| Industrial Engineering | $77,274 | 2.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,605 | 2.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $69,559 | 2.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $68,351 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,110 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,447 | 2.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,288 | 2.2x |
| Marketing | $60,649 | 2.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $51,705 | 1.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,042 | 1.8x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $49,400 | 1.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $46,403 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,739 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $45,398 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,403 | 1.5x |
| Music | $43,388 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,115 | 1.4x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $41,842 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,824 | 1.4x |
| Social Work | $40,047 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $39,846 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $39,677 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $39,655 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $38,885 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $37,708 | 1.3x |
| History | $37,458 | 1.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $36,444 | 1.3x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $31,824 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $29,990 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Louisville offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,899 10 years after starting — $8,899 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.