UC vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

UC vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than JCU ($24,696 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 6.6% lower than at John Carroll University ($13,564 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 261.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $36,524 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.3% higher at JCU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $21,190 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 336.6% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($35,785 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 10 points higher than at JCU (1260).
• Incoming JCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at JCU (3.66).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 15.9% at JCU.

UC vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $3,939 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($237 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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.