Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks John Carroll University #1028 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,343 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 39.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks John Carroll University #444 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- John Carroll University's composite ranking reflects strong financial outcomes for graduates relative to cost paid. These results are anchored by business-focused programs that deliver consistent earnings performance across multiple career pathways.
Azimuth ranks John Carroll University #1028 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in University Heights, Ohio, John Carroll University enrolls roughly 2,274 undergraduates. Retention stands at 82.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 78.5%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Where John Carroll University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks John Carroll University #444 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,580, and they earn about $4,343 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing John Carroll University in the 39.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Business, which aligns with strong early-career outcomes and employer demand in the region. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. John Carroll University sits in the 21.1 percentile for access and the 15.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution, John Carroll University carries a higher sticker price than public alternatives, though need-based aid reshapes the net cost for families that qualify. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 39.9 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting solid career progression for graduates entering the regional and national labor markets.
John Carroll University's published cost of attendance is $65,827. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $19,945, middle-income families pay around $24,900, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,240. Azimuth ranks John Carroll University #1208 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $39,285; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,580, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
John Carroll University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private university experience in OH, Midwest. The university's combination of academic focus and regional employer connections makes it particularly appealing for students planning to launch careers in the Midwest area. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $67,580, placing John Carroll University in the 71.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,343 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing John Carroll University in the 39.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university serves a mix of students from different backgrounds — 20.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 18.6% are first-generation. The published cost of attendance is $34,240, with median federal debt at graduation of $26,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 80.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to OH's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,204.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the John Carroll University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
John Carroll University's published cost of attendance is $65,827. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $19,945, middle-income families pay around $24,900, and higher-income families pay approximately $34,240.
Azimuth ranks John Carroll University #1208 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $39,285; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,580, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of John Carroll University earn median 4-year earnings of $67,580, placing John Carroll University in the 71.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,343 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing John Carroll University in the 39.3 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks John Carroll University #444 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects John Carroll University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Finance is the largest program with 103 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $84,728, representing 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Digital Marketing program graduates 87 students with median 4-year earnings of $73,881, at 1.1x benchmark.
Kinesiology and Biology, General round out the top programs, with 64 and 62 graduates respectively earning $65,098 and $69,024 four years after enrollment. These outcomes underscore the university's strength in fields where employers recruit actively and early-career earnings remain competitive.
Economics
24 graduates
Computer Science
18 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
59 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
103 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
60 graduates
John Carroll University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the university's Jesuit identity and focus on career-ready education. Finance is the largest program with 103 graduates, followed by Digital Marketing, Kinesiology, Biology, General, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 845 students annually, the institution concentrates in applied business, health professions, and STEM fields aligned with employer demand in the Cleveland region and beyond. The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in Accounting, where graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $86,546, and Finance, where median earnings reach $84,728.
Business Administration graduates earn $78,272 four years after enrollment, while Digital Marketing and Biology, General round out the highest-earning programs with median earnings of $73,881 and $69,024 respectively. These programs reflect the institution's strength in quantitative, applied-professional, and health-adjacent fields where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect regional and national labor-market outcomes.
The program-mix signature emphasizes Business at 40%, Social Sciences at 10%, and Education at 3%, positioning John Carroll University as a career-focused private institution in a major Midwest market. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gannon University Similar quality tier (#28228 ranked) | PA | 74% | $58,845 | #28228 | Compare |
Clark University Similar quality tier (#28227 ranked) | MA | 40% | $62,381 | #28227 | Compare |
Mount St. Mary's University Similar quality tier (#28233 ranked) | MD | 74% | $64,072 | #28233 | Compare |
William Carey University Similar quality tier (#28234 ranked) | MS | 60% | $43,087 | #28234 | Compare |
University Of New Haven Similar quality tier (#28226 ranked) | CT | 60% | $60,126 | #28226 | Compare |
