JU vs. Nova

Deciding between Jacksonville University and Nova Southeastern University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Jacksonville University
Nova Southeastern University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • JU Jacksonville, FL
  • Nova Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Setting
  • JU Large City
  • Nova Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • JU 4,247
  • Nova 20,910
  • Type
  • JU Private 4 Year
  • Nova Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • JU #399
  • Nova #433
  • Religious Affiliation
  • JU -
  • Nova -
  • Status
  • JU Non-profit
  • Nova Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • JU
  • Nova
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • JU $47,830
  • Nova $38,700
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • JU $47,830
  • Nova $38,700
  • Room & Board
  • JU $17,210
  • Nova $16,840
  • Average Net Price
  • JU $24,238
  • Nova $31,858
  • Average Grant Aid
  • JU $39,859
  • Nova $24,965
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • JU 100%
  • Nova 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • JU 8,184
  • Nova 17,765
  • Admitted
  • JU 4,660
  • Nova 13,006
  • Acceptance Rate
  • JU 56.9%
  • Nova 73.2%
  • Enrolled
  • JU 16.3%
  • Nova 15.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JU 1190
  • Nova 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • JU 24
  • Nova 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • JU 3.61
  • Nova 3.99
  • Typical High School Grades
  • JU A-
  • Nova A
  • Admissions Standards
  • JU Average
  • Nova Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • JU Low
  • Nova Low
  • ACT Range
  • JU 22/27
  • Nova 19/28
  • SAT Range
  • JU 1100/1280
  • Nova 1030/1300
  • Submit Test Scores
  • JU Test optional
  • Nova Required
  • Application Deadline
  • JU
  • Nova
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • JU 11:1
  • Nova 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • JU
    • Health Professions (47%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Nova
    • Business (28%)
    • Health Professions (24%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • JU 40%
  • Nova 43%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • JU $54,800
  • Nova $53,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • JU 54%
  • Nova 44%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • JU $22,621
  • Nova $25,100
  • Median Loan Payment
  • JU $233
  • Nova $259
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • JU 39%
  • Nova 28%
  • % Women
  • JU 61%
  • Nova 72%
  • Racial Diversity
  • JU High
  • Nova Very High
  • HBCU
  • JU No
  • Nova No
  • % White
  • JU 48%
  • Nova 31%
  • % Asian
  • JU 2%
  • Nova 9%
  • % Black
  • JU 14%
  • Nova 18%
  • % Hispanic
  • JU 8%
  • Nova 32%
  • % Native American
  • JU 0%
  • Nova 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • JU 0%
  • Nova 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • JU 2%
  • Nova 2%
  • % International
  • JU 6%
  • Nova 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • JU 19%
  • Nova 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • JU 46%
  • Nova 55%
  • % Out-of-State
  • JU 49%
  • Nova 38%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • JU Yes
  • Nova Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • JU No
  • Nova No
  • Meal Plan
  • JU Yes
  • Nova Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • JU Yes
  • Nova No
  • Daycare Facility
  • JU No
  • Nova No

Comparable Facts

Compare Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL with Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Nova Southeastern University is larger than JU based on total student enrollment (20,910 students vs. 4,247 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Nova Southeastern University is in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Large Suburban setting).
  • Jacksonville University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nova Southeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Jacksonville University 11:1; Nova Southeastern University 16:1.

JU vs. Nova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JU or Nova? 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 Jacksonville University than Nova ($24,238 vs. $31,858).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nova Southeastern University are 2.1% lower than at Jacksonville University ($16,840 vs. $17,210).
  • Jacksonville University is 23.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nova (about $9,130 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $38,700.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.6% higher at JU than at Nova Southeastern University (about $9,130 more per year; $47,830.00 vs. $38,700.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Jacksonville University as at Nova Southeastern University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville University students is 59.7% larger than aid received by Nova Southeastern University students ($39,859 vs. $24,965).

JU vs. Nova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JU or Nova? 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 Nova and JU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Jacksonville University (1190) is 20 points higher than at Nova (1170).
  • Incoming JU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Nova).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville University 1100/1280; Nova Southeastern University 1030/1300.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jacksonville University 22/27; Nova Southeastern University 19/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JU - Test optional; Nova - Required.
  • Accepted freshman Nova students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at JU (3.61).
  • Nova has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than JU (56.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at JU vs. 15.6% at Nova.

JU vs. Nova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JU and Nova? 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).

  • Nova Southeastern University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Jacksonville University's (40%).
  • Graduates from Jacksonville University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Nova graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Jacksonville University graduates have a $2,479 lower median loan debt than Nova graduates ($22,621 vs. $25,100).
  • Among borrowers, JU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nova graduates ($233 vs. $259).
  • More JU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nova students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 44%)

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.