Kentucky vs. JCU

University of Kentucky and John Carroll University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Kentucky
John Carroll University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JCU (80.9% admitted vs 92.9%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: Kentucky. Average net price is $21,958 vs $30,030 at JCU.
  • Graduation: Kentucky 59% vs JCU 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Kentucky $51,000 vs JCU $57,600 (median).
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Key differences

University of Kentucky John Carroll University
Acceptance rate
JCU more selective
Kentucky92.9%
JCU80.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JCU higher
Kentucky1070-1290
JCU1180-1330
Average net price
Kentucky $8,072 less
Kentucky$21,958
JCU$30,030
In-state tuition
Kentucky $36,998 less
Kentucky$13,502
JCU$50,500
Out-of-state tuition
Kentucky $16,360 less
Kentucky$34,140
JCU$50,500
Graduation rate
JCU +12 pts
Kentucky59%
JCU71%
Median earnings (10 years)
JCU +$6,600
Kentucky$51,000
JCU$57,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Kentucky 31,517
  • JCU 4,623
  • Admitted
  • Kentucky 29,293
  • JCU 3,740
  • Acceptance rate
  • Kentucky 92.9%
  • JCU 80.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Kentucky 22.2%
  • JCU 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Kentucky 1180
  • JCU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Kentucky 24
  • JCU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Kentucky 3.59
  • JCU 3.66
  • Typical high school grades
  • Kentucky A-
  • JCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Kentucky Challenging
  • JCU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Kentucky
  • JCU
  • SAT range
  • Kentucky 1070-1290
  • JCU 1180-1330
  • ACT range
  • Kentucky 21-28
  • JCU 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Kentucky Test optional
  • JCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Kentucky Feb 15, 2027
  • JCU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Kentucky $13,502
  • JCU $50,500
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Kentucky $34,140
  • JCU $50,500
  • Room & board
  • Kentucky $16,016
  • JCU $14,520
  • Average net price
  • Kentucky $21,958
  • JCU $30,030
  • Average grant aid
  • Kentucky $12,898
  • JCU $35,785
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Kentucky 95%
  • JCU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Kentucky 59%
  • JCU 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Kentucky $51,000
  • JCU $57,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Kentucky 62%
  • JCU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Kentucky $22,750
  • JCU $26,939
  • Median loan payment
  • Kentucky $235
  • JCU $278
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Kentucky 18:1
  • JCU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Kentucky
    • Business (19%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • JCU
    • Business (34%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Education (9%)
  • Location
  • Kentucky Lexington, KY
  • JCU University Heights, OH
  • Setting
  • Kentucky Large City
  • JCU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Kentucky 34,709
  • JCU 2,864
  • Type
  • Kentucky Public 4 Year
  • JCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Kentucky #437
  • JCU #222

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY with John Carroll University in University Heights, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Kentucky is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 2,864 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Carroll University are 9.3% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,520 vs. $16,016).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at JCU than at University of Kentucky (about $16,360 more per year; $50,500 vs. $34,140).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 177.4% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($35,785 vs. $12,898).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at JCU than at Kentucky (28 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Kentucky and JCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at JCU average a 3.66 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Kentucky (3.59).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,189 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($22,750 vs. $26,939).
  • Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($235 vs. $278).
  • More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 62%).

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

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