JCU vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

Compare John Carroll University in University Heights, OH with Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

John Carroll University is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (2,864 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• John Carroll University is located in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: John Carroll University 13:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

JCU vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCU or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than JCU ($18,825 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 22.1% lower than at John Carroll University ($11,310 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 140% more expensive for in-state tuition than VMI (about $29,454 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $21,046.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at VMI than at John Carroll University (about $2,138 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $50,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Virginia Military Institute (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 50.2% larger than aid received by Virginia Military Institute students ($35,785 vs. $23,821).

JCU vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 100 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming JCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 1180/1330; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: John Carroll University 25/32; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCU - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at VMI (3.65).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than VMI (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at JCU vs. 31.7% at VMI.

JCU vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCU and VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates from Virginia Military Institute earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than JCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Military Institute graduates have a $1,939 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, VMI graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($258 vs. $278).
• More VMI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 74%)

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.