Kentucky vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Kentucky 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 Kentucky 18:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Kentucky vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky than JCU ($21,958 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 9.3% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,520 vs. $16,016).
• John Carroll University is 274% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $36,998 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at JCU than at University of Kentucky (about $16,360 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 177.4% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($35,785 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 80 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming JCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Kentucky vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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 Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,189 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($22,750 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($235 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.