UIC vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago 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 Illinois Chicago 17:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

UIC vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than JCU ($10,852 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 12% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,520 vs. $16,500).
• John Carroll University is 252.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIC (about $36,162 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $14,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69% higher at JCU than at University of Illinois Chicago (about $20,616 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $29,884.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at University of Illinois Chicago (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 113.6% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students ($35,785 vs. $16,755).

UIC vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 20 points higher than at UIC (1240).
• Incoming UIC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at JCU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UIC (3.41).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 15.9% at JCU.

UIC vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than JCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $8,189 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($193 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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.