Elmhurst University vs. JCU

Deciding between Elmhurst University and John Carroll University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Elmhurst University
John Carroll University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Setting
  • Elmhurst University Large Suburban
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Elmhurst University 3,997
  • JCU 2,864
  • Type
  • Elmhurst University Private 4 Year
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Elmhurst University #320
  • JCU #222
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Elmhurst University United Church of Christ
  • JCU Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Elmhurst University Non-profit
  • JCU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Elmhurst University
  • JCU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • JCU $50,500
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • JCU $50,500
  • Room & Board
  • Elmhurst University $14,528
  • JCU $14,520
  • Average Net Price
  • Elmhurst University $24,629
  • JCU $30,030
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University $30,079
  • JCU $35,785
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Elmhurst University 100%
  • JCU 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Elmhurst University 6,245
  • JCU 4,623
  • Admitted
  • Elmhurst University 4,599
  • JCU 3,740
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Elmhurst University 73.6%
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Elmhurst University 12.5%
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Elmhurst University 1130
  • JCU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Elmhurst University 26
  • JCU 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • Elmhurst University 3.59
  • JCU 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Elmhurst University A-
  • JCU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Elmhurst University Challenging
  • JCU Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Elmhurst University Low
  • JCU
  • ACT Range
  • Elmhurst University 23/30
  • JCU 25/32
  • SAT Range
  • Elmhurst University 990/1260
  • JCU 1180/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Elmhurst University Test optional
  • JCU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Elmhurst University
  • JCU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Elmhurst University 15:1
  • JCU 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Elmhurst University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Elmhurst University 70%
  • JCU 71%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Elmhurst University $50,200
  • JCU $57,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Elmhurst University 72%
  • JCU 74%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Elmhurst University $21,500
  • JCU $26,939
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Elmhurst University $222
  • JCU $278
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Elmhurst University 38%
  • JCU 51%
  • % Women
  • Elmhurst University 62%
  • JCU 49%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Elmhurst University Medium
  • JCU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Elmhurst University No
  • JCU No
  • % White
  • Elmhurst University 67%
  • JCU 86%
  • % Asian
  • Elmhurst University 6%
  • JCU 2%
  • % Black
  • Elmhurst University 5%
  • JCU 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Elmhurst University 17%
  • JCU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • JCU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • JCU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Elmhurst University 3%
  • JCU 2%
  • % International
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • JCU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Elmhurst University 2%
  • JCU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Elmhurst University 82%
  • JCU 69%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Elmhurst University 18%
  • JCU 31%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • JCU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Elmhurst University No
  • JCU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • JCU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • JCU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • JCU No

Comparable Facts

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

Elmhurst University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (3,997 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Elmhurst University is located in Elmhurst, IL (Large Suburban setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmhurst University 15:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Elmhurst University vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elmhurst University 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 Elmhurst University than JCU ($24,629 vs. $30,030).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 0.1% lower than at Elmhurst University ($14,520 vs. $14,528).
  • John Carroll University is 17.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elmhurst University (about $7,545 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $42,955.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at JCU than at Elmhurst University (about $7,545 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $42,955.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Elmhurst University as at John Carroll University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 19% larger than aid received by Elmhurst University students ($35,785 vs. $30,079).

Elmhurst University vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elmhurst University 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 Elmhurst University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 130 points higher than at Elmhurst University (1130).
  • Incoming JCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Elmhurst University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 990/1260; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmhurst University 23/30; John Carroll University 25/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elmhurst University - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Elmhurst University (3.59).
  • JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than Elmhurst University (73.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Elmhurst University vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Elmhurst University vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elmhurst University 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 Elmhurst University's (70%).
  • Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Elmhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $50,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmhurst University graduates have a $5,439 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, Elmhurst University 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 Elmhurst University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.