JCU vs. VCU

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

John Carroll University
Virginia Commonwealth University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JCU (80.9% admitted vs 92.6%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: VCU. Average net price is $26,836 vs $30,030 at JCU.
  • Graduation: JCU 71% vs VCU 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: JCU $57,600 vs VCU $47,500 (median).
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Key differences

John Carroll University Virginia Commonwealth University
Acceptance rate
JCU more selective
JCU80.9%
VCU92.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JCU higher
JCU1180-1330
VCU1010-1270
Average net price
VCU $3,194 less
JCU$30,030
VCU$26,836
In-state tuition
VCU $33,555 less
JCU$50,500
VCU$16,945
Out-of-state tuition
VCU $10,391 less
JCU$50,500
VCU$40,109
Graduation rate
JCU +18 pts
JCU71%
VCU53%
Median earnings (10 years)
JCU +$10,100
JCU$57,600
VCU$47,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • JCU 4,623
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • JCU 3,740
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance rate
  • JCU 80.9%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • JCU 15.9%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • JCU 1260
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • JCU 28
  • VCU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • JCU 3.66
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • JCU A-
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • JCU Difficult
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • JCU
  • VCU
  • SAT range
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • VCU 1010-1270
  • ACT range
  • JCU 25-32
  • VCU 22-30
  • Submit test scores
  • JCU Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • JCU
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • JCU $50,500
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • JCU $50,500
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & board
  • JCU $14,520
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average net price
  • JCU $30,030
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average grant aid
  • JCU $35,785
  • VCU $14,186
  • % receiving grant aid
  • JCU 100%
  • VCU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • JCU 71%
  • VCU 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • JCU $57,600
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • JCU 74%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • JCU $26,939
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • JCU $278
  • VCU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • JCU 13:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Location
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • JCU 2,864
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • JCU #222
  • VCU #465

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 2,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 20.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,520 vs. $18,254).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at JCU than at Virginia Commonwealth University (about $10,391 more per year; $50,500 vs. $40,109).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 152.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($35,785 vs. $14,186).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at JCU than at VCU (28 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both JCU and VCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at VCU average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at JCU (3.66).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,689 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($240 vs. $278).
  • More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 56%).

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

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