AU vs. JCU

American University and John Carroll University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
John Carroll University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (62% admitted vs 80.9%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: JCU. Average net price is $30,030 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs JCU 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs JCU $57,600 (median).
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Key differences

American University John Carroll University
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU62%
JCU80.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1280-1460
JCU1180-1330
Average net price
JCU $9,646 less
AU$39,676
JCU$30,030
In-state tuition
JCU $8,271 less
AU$58,771
JCU$50,500
Out-of-state tuition
JCU $8,271 less
AU$58,771
JCU$50,500
Graduation rate
AU +6 pts
AU77%
JCU71%
Median earnings (10 years)
AU +$7,200
AU$64,800
JCU$57,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • JCU 4,623
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • JCU 3,740
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • JCU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • JCU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • JCU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • JCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • JCU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • JCU
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • JCU 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • JCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • JCU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • JCU $50,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • JCU $50,500
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • JCU $14,520
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • JCU $30,030
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • JCU $35,785
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • JCU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • JCU 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • JCU $57,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • JCU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • JCU $26,939
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • JCU $278
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • JCU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • JCU 2,864
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • JCU #222

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 19.3% lower than at American University ($14,520 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at AU than at John Carroll University (about $8,271 more per year; $58,771 vs. $50,500).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by John Carroll University students ($36,349 vs. $35,785).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at AU than at JCU (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and JCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at JCU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,689 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($24,250 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($250 vs. $278).
  • More AU 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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