AU vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

AU vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or JCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at John Carroll University than AU ($30,030 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 19.3% lower than at American University ($14,520 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCU (about $8,271 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at AU than at John Carroll University (about $8,271 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by John Carroll University students ($36,349 vs. $35,785).

AU vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or JCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JCU and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 110 points higher than at JCU (1260).
• Incoming AU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at JCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at JCU (3.66).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

AU vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and JCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than John Carroll University's (71%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than JCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,689 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($250 vs. $278).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.