Louisville, Kentucky Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Louisville, Kentucky shows: median public in-state tuition $14,840 (+169.2% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $57,690 (+6.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 91.4% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $14,143 (+5.3% vs U.S.) 34,796 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 17 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 34,796 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $14,840 (+169.2% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $57,690 (+6.2% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 91.4% (+3.5 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $20,020 (+100.9% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $14,143 (+5.3% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 61.2%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 76.8%

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Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Louisville, Kentucky—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Kentucky and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Louisville vs Kentucky & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Louisville, Kentucky$14,840$20,020$14,14361.2%34,796
Kentucky (state median)$4,728$5,762$13,52150.4%174,956
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Louisville, Kentucky vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Louisville, Kentucky$57,69091.4%76.8%7.8%—65.4%0.40
Kentucky (state median)$45,50090.2%74.3%7.6%—68.9%0.48
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Kentucky (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Louisville, Kentucky$14,840$20,020$14,14361.2%34,796$57,69091.4%
Lexington$13,502$20,382$10,50071.4%34,636$56,86592.1%
Bowling Green$8,190$14,672$9,83855.6%15,818$43,88990.2%
Richmond$10,320$28,005$14,41650.0%12,584$45,79589.5%
Richmond$10,320$28,005$14,41650.0%12,584$45,79589.5%
Richmond$10,320$28,005$14,41650.0%12,584$45,79589.5%
Owensboro$31,550$12,920$16,37550.3%4,073$46,12489.7%
Florence$9,012$16,328$13,57231.7%3,827N/AN/A
Florence$9,012$16,328$13,57231.7%3,827N/AN/A
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Outcomes by sector in Louisville, Kentucky

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit4$55,75491.8%69.6%5.9%—70.5%

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 64.4%, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 61.5%, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 61.2%, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 51.7%, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

  5. Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 40.2%, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    Private nonprofit · 848 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 93.0%, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.8%, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 91.4%, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 89.7%, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 most selective colleges in Louisville, Kentucky (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 55.9%, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    Private nonprofit · 848 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 79.4%, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 86.1%, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Admission Rate, 99.5%, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $77,732, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,234, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $70,544, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $65,552, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $104,538, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $91,862, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $84,262, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $77,983, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $58,951, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $49,819, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,571, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,870, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $60,671, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $55,131, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,032, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $48,021, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $62,069, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $61,480, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,899, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $49,438, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $164,599, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $160,159, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $113,184, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $13,430, Simmons College of Kentucky

    Simmons College of Kentucky

    Private nonprofit · 481 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Louisville, Kentucky (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $17,988, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $18,434, Simmons College of Kentucky

    Simmons College of Kentucky

    Private nonprofit · 481 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $18,540, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $21,499, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $25,491, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

Top 10 colleges in Louisville, Kentucky by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 81.5%, University of Louisville

    University of Louisville

    Public · 14,727 enrolled · Louisville

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 79.6%, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Galen College of Nursing-Louisville

    Private for-profit · 4,801 enrolled · Louisville

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 78.6%, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    Private nonprofit · 848 enrolled · Louisville

  4. Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 75.1%, Bellarmine University

    Bellarmine University

    Private nonprofit · 2,161 enrolled · Louisville

  5. Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 64.0%, Spalding University

    Spalding University

    Private nonprofit · 583 enrolled · Louisville

In-state tuition: Louisville, Kentucky vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Louisville, Kentucky median in-state tuition is $14,840, +169.2% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Louisville, Kentucky vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Louisville, Kentucky is $14,143 (+5.3% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.

Median earnings (10 years out): Louisville, Kentucky vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Louisville, Kentucky center around $57,690 (+6.2% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Louisville, Kentucky vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 91.4% at the median Louisville, Kentucky campus (+3.5 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Louisville, Kentucky median public in-state tuition is $14,840, about +169.2% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +197.3%.

Median graduate debt is $14,143 (+5.3% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Louisville, Kentucky are $57,690, about +6.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 91.4% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+3.5 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 76.8% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 7.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 65.4% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Bellarmine University (93.0%), Spalding University (91.8%), University of Louisville (91.4%), Galen College of Nursing-Louisville (89.7%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Louisville, Kentucky, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $55,754 (4 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Louisville, Kentucky is 61.2% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Louisville?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 17 campuses in Louisville, Kentucky with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Louisville?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Louisville is $14,840 and median net price is $20,020. For Kentucky overall, medians are $4,728 and $5,762; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Louisville?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Louisville is $57,690 vs $45,500 for Kentucky and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Louisville colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Louisville is $14,143 vs $13,521 for Kentucky and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Louisville?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Bellarmine University (graduation) and Bellarmine University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Louisville?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 17 campuses in Louisville, Kentucky, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Simmons College of Kentucky; 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (2), Presbyterian Church (USA) (1), Southern Baptist (1).

Sources & related