John Carroll University
John Carroll University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
John Carroll University at a Glance
John Carroll University (JCU) is a private Jesuit university in University Heights, Ohio, United States, a suburb of Cleveland. It was founded in 1886 as St. Ignatius College and renamed in 1923 for John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States. For the 2025–2026 academic year, the university enrolled approximately 3,900 undergraduate and graduate students.
1886
140 years old
$302M
$302.15 million (2025)
2,864
2,339 undergrad · 525 grad
146
63 acres
Identity
Is John Carroll University Worth It?
John Carroll University offers moderate value at $28,746/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $62,860, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 78% graduation rate means roughly 22% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How John Carroll University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #35 of 115 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #3 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | Regis University | 60 | $18,397 | $72,105 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #35 | John Carroll University | 42 | $28,746 | $62,860 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of John Carroll University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in OH.
Best Programs at John Carroll University
The highest-earning program at John Carroll University is Accounting and Related Services at $52,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from John Carroll University earns $52,800, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,746/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,800 | $52,800 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,900 | $48,900 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,900 | $46,900 | $26,009 |
| Economics | $44,600 | $44,600 | N/A |
| Marketing | $44,000 | $44,000 | $26,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,700 | $36,700 | $22,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,800 | $34,800 | $27,000 |
| Chemistry | $33,500 | $33,500 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $33,200 | $33,200 | $27,000 |
| Education, General | $32,000 | $32,000 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $25,200 | $25,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- University Heights, OH
- Student Body
- 2,274 students
- Admission Rate
- 81%
- Graduation Rate
- 78%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,746
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,860
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000