San Jose State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose State University in San Jose, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Jose State University 25:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

San Jose State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose State or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 San Jose State University than John Paul the Great Catholic University ($13,892 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 52.9% lower than at San Jose State University ($9,868 vs. $20,971).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 259.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $21,855 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.1% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at San Jose State University (about $9,255 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at San Jose State University (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 37.5% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($16,982 vs. $12,353).

San Jose State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose State or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and San Jose State.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 10 points higher than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

San Jose State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose State and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($155 vs. $266).

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.