WSU vs. JCU

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State University is larger than JCU based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 2,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); John Carroll University is in University Heights, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Carroll University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; John Carroll University 13:1.

WSU vs. JCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than JCU ($14,416 vs. $30,030).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 1.8% lower than at John Carroll University ($14,252 vs. $14,520).
• John Carroll University is 232.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSU (about $35,310 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $15,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.6% higher at JCU than at Wayne State University (about $18,463 more per year; $50,500.00 vs. $32,037.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Carroll University than at Wayne State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Carroll University students is 176.3% larger than aid received by Wayne State University students ($35,785 vs. $12,953).

WSU vs. JCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Carroll University (1260) is 90 points higher than at WSU (1170).
• Incoming JCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 1060/1270; John Carroll University 1180/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; John Carroll University 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; JCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JCU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at WSU (3.42).
• WSU has a higher acceptance rate (81.2%) than JCU (80.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 15.9% at JCU.

WSU vs. JCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from John Carroll University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than WSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State University graduates have a $4,681 lower median loan debt than JCU graduates ($22,258 vs. $26,939).
• Among borrowers, WSU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCU graduates ($230 vs. $278).
• More JCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 38%)

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.