JCU vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

JCU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCU or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than JCU ($22,546 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 2.1% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($14,520 vs. $14,828).
• John Carroll University is 368.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $39,725 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.5% higher at JCU than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $27,901 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 526.8% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($35,785 vs. $5,709).

JCU vs. WCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCU or WCU? 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 WCU and JCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 70 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming JCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 1180/1330; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 25/32; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCU - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WCU (3.43).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 22.4% at WCU.

JCU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCU and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $3,439 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($242 vs. $278).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.