Head-to-head comparison
University of Louisville vs Western Kentucky University: which has better ROI?
Option A Louisville, KY
University of Louisville
- Net price / year
- $17,988
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,899
- Payback
- 13 yrs
Option B Bowling Green, KY
Western Kentucky University
- Net price / year
- $10,990
- Earnings, 10 years
- $43,889
- Payback
- No payback
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 Western Kentucky University, on median earnings of $53,899 vs $43,889 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Louisville | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,988 | $10,990 |
| Total net cost | $71,952 | $43,960 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,899 | $43,889 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $22,095 |
| Payback | 13 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $38,828 | -$133,380 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Louisville or Western Kentucky University?
Western Kentucky University, at $10,990 a year after aid versus $17,988 — a gap of $6,998 a year, or $27,992 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Louisville or Western Kentucky University graduates earn more?
University of Louisville graduates report a median $53,899 ten years after entry, $10,010 more than the $43,889 at Western Kentucky University. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Louisville or Western Kentucky University?
University of Louisville: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,095 at Western Kentucky University, a difference of $1,595. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at University of Louisville, against 56% at Western Kentucky University. 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.