Louisville vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

Louisville vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 University of Louisville than JCU ($19,785 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 13.4% lower than at John Carroll University ($12,576 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 284.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $37,364 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at JCU than at University of Louisville (about $21,018 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at University of Louisville (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 143.8% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($35,785 vs. $14,677).

Louisville vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 100 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming JCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• JCU has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 15.9% at JCU.

Louisville vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $7,283 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($19,656 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($203 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

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.