Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Jacksonville, Alabama |
| Online | jsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small Suburban |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Jacksonville State University occupies a 459-acre campus in Jacksonville, Alabama, located approximately 75 miles east of Birmingham in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1883 as a state teachers' college, JSU has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, with the Houston Cole Library serving as a distinctive 13-story landmark. The university maintains strong programs in nursing, education, criminal justice, and emergency management, with the latter being one of the first such programs established in the United States. JSU competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Gamecocks, having transitioned from the Ohio Valley Conference to Conference USA in 2023, and provides on-campus housing through traditional residence halls and apartment-style living options.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Jacksonville State University is rated within the lower 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Jacksonville State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#906 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#359 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Colleges in Alabama
#7 in Best Public Colleges in Alabama
#25 in Best Value Colleges in Alabama
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 970/1260 |
| ACT | 17/24 |
| GPA | 3.43 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $35 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Alabama Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $998 |
| Other Fees | $2,136 |
| Room and Board | $8,894 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,506 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,824 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $998 |
| Other Fees | $2,136 |
| Room and Board | $8,894 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,506 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,114 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 19% |
| Education | 16% |
| Business | 13% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 7% |
| Human Services | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Jacksonville State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=101480 IPEDS survey data for Jacksonville State University.
Current students may use the Jacksonville State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025