Howard vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard 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.

Howard University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($30,030 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 16.2% lower than at Howard University ($14,520 vs. $17,322).
• John Carroll University is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $14,690 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41% higher at JCU than at Howard University (about $14,690 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 68.3% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($35,785 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 50 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming JCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have the same average high school GPA (3.66) as students at JCU (3.66).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Howard vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• John Carroll University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Howard University's (63%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, John Carroll University graduates have a $61 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($26,939 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, JCU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 33%)

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.