JCU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

JCU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCU or Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent than JCU ($21,278 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 5% lower than at John Carroll University ($13,794 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 281.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $37,268 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.8% higher at JCU than at Kent State University at Kent (about $27,418 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $23,082.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Kent State University at Kent (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 255.2% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($35,785 vs. $10,076).

JCU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCU or Kent State? 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 Kent State and JCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 130 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming JCU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 1180/1330; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 25/32; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Kent State (3.61).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

JCU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCU and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $1,114 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($267 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 46%)

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.