Syracuse vs. JCU

Deciding between Syracuse University and John Carroll 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.

Syracuse University
John Carroll University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Syracuse Syracuse, NY
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Setting
  • Syracuse Midsize City
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Syracuse 22,589
  • JCU 2,864
  • Type
  • Syracuse Private 4 Year
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Syracuse #158
  • JCU #222
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Syracuse -
  • JCU Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Syracuse Non-profit
  • JCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Syracuse
  • JCU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • JCU $50,500
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Syracuse $65,528
  • JCU $50,500
  • Room & Board
  • Syracuse $19,188
  • JCU $14,520
  • Average Net Price
  • Syracuse $48,215
  • JCU $30,030
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Syracuse $36,417
  • JCU $35,785
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Syracuse 76%
  • JCU 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Syracuse 44,480
  • JCU 4,623
  • Admitted
  • Syracuse 20,427
  • JCU 3,740
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Syracuse 45.9%
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Syracuse 18.8%
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Syracuse 1360
  • JCU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Syracuse 30
  • JCU 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Syracuse 3.69
  • JCU 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Syracuse A-
  • JCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Syracuse Very High
  • JCU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Syracuse Low
  • JCU
  • ACT Range
  • Syracuse 29/32
  • JCU 25/32
  • SAT Range
  • Syracuse 1270/1440
  • JCU 1180/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Syracuse Test optional
  • JCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Syracuse Jan 1, 2027
  • JCU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Syracuse 15:1
  • JCU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Syracuse
    • Business (18%)
    • Communication (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Syracuse 80%
  • JCU 71%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Syracuse $65,900
  • JCU $57,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Syracuse 80%
  • JCU 74%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Syracuse $27,000
  • JCU $26,939
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Syracuse $279
  • JCU $278

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Syracuse 44%
  • JCU 51%
  • % Women
  • Syracuse 56%
  • JCU 49%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Syracuse High
  • JCU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Syracuse No
  • JCU No
  • % White
  • Syracuse 55%
  • JCU 86%
  • % Asian
  • Syracuse 8%
  • JCU 2%
  • % Black
  • Syracuse 8%
  • JCU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Syracuse 11%
  • JCU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Syracuse 1%
  • JCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Syracuse 0%
  • JCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Syracuse 3%
  • JCU 2%
  • % International
  • Syracuse 12%
  • JCU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Syracuse 2%
  • JCU 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Syracuse 31%
  • JCU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Syracuse 63%
  • JCU 31%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Syracuse University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (22,589 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Syracuse University is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Syracuse University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Syracuse University 15:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Syracuse vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Syracuse 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 Syracuse ($30,030 vs. $48,215).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 24.3% lower than at Syracuse University ($14,520 vs. $19,188).
  • Syracuse University is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCU (about $15,028 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $50,500.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at Syracuse than at John Carroll University (about $15,028 more per year; $65,528.00 vs. $50,500.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Syracuse University (100% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Syracuse University students is 1.8% larger than aid received by John Carroll University students ($36,417 vs. $35,785).

Syracuse vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Syracuse 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 Syracuse.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Syracuse University (1360) is 100 points higher than at JCU (1260).
  • Incoming Syracuse 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: Syracuse University 1270/1440; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Syracuse University 29/32; John Carroll University 25/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Syracuse - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Syracuse Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Syracuse students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at JCU (3.66).
  • JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than Syracuse (45.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at Syracuse vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Syracuse vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Syracuse 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).

  • Syracuse University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than John Carroll University's (71%).
  • Graduates from Syracuse University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than JCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,900 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, John Carroll University graduates have a $61 lower median loan debt than Syracuse graduates ($26,939 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, JCU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Syracuse graduates ($278 vs. $279).
  • More Syracuse 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.