Wayne State University vs University of Louisville

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Wayne State University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
University of Louisville
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
University of Louisville
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
University of Louisville
Higher success

University of Louisville

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
82.0%
80.5%
Avg SAT Score
1,147
1,147
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1040 – 1260
1020 – 1250
Avg ACT Score
25
24
ACT Range (25th–75th)
21 – 28
19 – 27
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$14,773
$17,634
Tuition (In-State)
$14,297
$12,828
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$30,419
$29,174
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
43.0%
28.8%
Federal Loan Rate
39.7%
28.5%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$53,493
$53,899
Graduation Rate
58.3%
61.4%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
81.5%
80.6%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
15,676
14,187
Undergrad Enrollment
18,219
18,339
Type
Public
Public
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Wayne State University

Academics
C+
Value
B
Admissions
C
Diversity
A-

University of Louisville

Academics
C+
Value
B
Admissions
C
Diversity
B-

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Wayne State University and University of Louisville are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Louisville is more selective with a 80.5% acceptance rate compared to Wayne State University's 82.0%. Average SAT scores are 1147 and 1147 respectively.

Cost: Wayne State University offers a lower average net price at $14,773, which is $2,861 less than University of Louisville ($17,634). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median salary of $53,899 ten years after enrollment, which is $406 more than Wayne State University graduates ($53,493).

Graduation: University of Louisville leads with a 61.4% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 81.5% vs 80.6%.

Campus Size: Wayne State University is the larger campus with 15,676 total students, while University of Louisville has 14,187.

Bottom Line: Wayne State University wins on affordability while University of Louisville leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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