Public · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Midsize city

Jackson State University

Jackson, Mississippi. 4,600 undergraduates. Admits 93% of applicants.

43%Graduation rate11 pts below the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$34,119Average net price per year71% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$42,075Median earnings 10 years after starting29% below the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$27,000Median debt at graduation25% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($27,000) equals 64% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($42,075). That is a heavy load relative to pay; compare net price and programs carefully.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$34,073
$30,000–$48,000$35,082
$48,001–$75,000$37,369
Over $110,000$32,640

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $9,635 in-state, $13,635 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate43%54%
Return for second year62%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$36,121$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$42,075$58,912
Median debt at graduation$27,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

69 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Engineering7$49,408$99,264—
Civil Engineering13$58,578$89,955$29,000
Computer Science—$77,117—$26,437
Chemistry6—$66,383—
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians15$42,103$59,535$31,875
Accounting and Related Services26$47,861$53,650$25,993
Business Administration, Management and Operations51$41,500$51,475$29,893
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services22$30,364$50,255$27,562
Communication and Media Studies34$35,480$50,008$29,000
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General—$41,269$47,952$36,500
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods27$43,563$46,641$31,000
Health and Medical Administrative Services49$36,171$46,049$38,566
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities16$45,985—$56,926
Criminal Justice and Corrections75$38,219$43,830$30,500
Biology, General73$32,598$42,163$27,000
Psychology, General41$33,537$42,103$25,000
Social Work66$35,187$40,319$29,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas37$43,462$38,854$26,000
Political Science and Government19$34,208—$27,000
Education, Other55$34,914$31,610$41,682
Visual and Performing Arts, General10$28,572——
Computer and Information Sciences, General25———
Special Education and Teaching3———
Biomedical/Medical Engineering2———
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering13———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services2———
English Language and Literature, General2———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies1———
Mathematics2———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other81———
Physics2———
Sociology6———
Music4———
Business/Managerial Economics1———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations11———
Finance and Financial Management Services6———
Marketing16——$26,000
History7———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

93%Admission rate
965Average SAT of admitted students
15–20ACT middle 50%
14:1Students per faculty member
75%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Jackson State University cost per year?
The average net price at Jackson State University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $34,119 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Jackson State University graduates earn?
Former Jackson State University students earn a median of $42,075 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Jackson State University?
43% of Jackson State University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Jackson State University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Jackson State University is $27,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.