Cleveland State vs. JCU

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

Cleveland State University
John Carroll University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JCU (80.9% admitted vs 91.3%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cleveland State. Average net price is $16,230 vs $30,030 at JCU.
  • Graduation: Cleveland State 30% vs JCU 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cleveland State $44,200 vs JCU $57,600 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Cleveland State University John Carroll University
Acceptance rate
JCU more selective
Cleveland State91.3%
JCU80.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JCU higher
Cleveland State880-1130
JCU1180-1330
Average net price
Cleveland State $13,800 less
Cleveland State$16,230
JCU$30,030
In-state tuition
Cleveland State $37,512 less
Cleveland State$12,988
JCU$50,500
Out-of-state tuition
Cleveland State $31,990 less
Cleveland State$18,510
JCU$50,500
Graduation rate
JCU +41 pts
Cleveland State30%
JCU71%
Median earnings (10 years)
JCU +$13,400
Cleveland State$44,200
JCU$57,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Cleveland State and JCU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Cleveland State Check my chances at JCU
  • Applied
  • Cleveland State 11,050
  • JCU 4,623
  • Admitted
  • Cleveland State 10,089
  • JCU 3,740
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cleveland State 91.3%
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cleveland State 15.7%
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cleveland State 1010
  • JCU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cleveland State 21
  • JCU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cleveland State 3.31
  • JCU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cleveland State B+
  • JCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cleveland State Very Easy
  • JCU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Cleveland State
  • JCU
  • SAT range
  • Cleveland State 880-1130
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • ACT range
  • Cleveland State 18-25
  • JCU 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Cleveland State Test-free
  • JCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027
  • JCU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cleveland State $12,988
  • JCU $50,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cleveland State $18,510
  • JCU $50,500
  • Room & board
  • Cleveland State $15,104
  • JCU $14,520
  • Average net price
  • Cleveland State $16,230
  • JCU $30,030
  • Average grant aid
  • Cleveland State $9,795
  • JCU $35,785
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cleveland State 90%
  • JCU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cleveland State 30%
  • JCU 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cleveland State $44,200
  • JCU $57,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cleveland State 47%
  • JCU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cleveland State $21,500
  • JCU $26,939
  • Median loan payment
  • Cleveland State $222
  • JCU $278
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cleveland State 16:1
  • JCU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cleveland State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Location
  • Cleveland State Cleveland, OH
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Setting
  • Cleveland State Large City
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Cleveland State 14,074
  • JCU 2,864
  • Type
  • Cleveland State Public 4 Year
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cleveland State #784
  • JCU #222

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 2,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 3.9% lower than at Cleveland State University ($14,520 vs. $15,104).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 172.8% higher at JCU than at Cleveland State University (about $31,990 more per year; $50,500 vs. $18,510).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 265.3% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($35,785 vs. $9,795).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at JCU than at Cleveland State (28 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cleveland State, test optional at JCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at JCU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at Cleveland State (3.31).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,439 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($222 vs. $278).
  • More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 47%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Cleveland State University
John Carroll University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges