Arkansas State University vs. Jackson State University

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Jackson State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or Jackson State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Jackson State University comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Jackson State University College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus Jackson State University
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Overview

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
Location Jonesboro, AR Jackson, MS
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 13,190 6,906
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #859 #961
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu jsums.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
Tuition (In State) $6,888 $8,270
Tuition (Out of State) $12,744 $8,270
Room & Board $10,100 $10,445
Avg Net Price $12,011 $15,292
Avg Grant Aid $11,225 $8,694
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 86%

Admission

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,045 12,583
Admitted 4,202 11,153
Acceptance Rate 69.5% 88.6%
Enrolled % 31.5% 10.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 16/21
SAT Range 980/1200 1073/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
Graduation Rate 38% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $32,800
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $299

Diversity

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
% Men 35% 33%
% Women 65% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 74% 4%
% Black 14% 92%
% Hispanic 2% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
% In-State 81% 27%
% Out-of-State 12% 72%

Campus

Arkansas State University Jackson State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (13,190 students vs. 6,906 students)

Arkansas State University vs. Jackson State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or Jackson State University?

  • Jackson State University is 20.1% more expensive to attend than Arkansas State University for in-state tuition ($8,270.00 vs. $6,888.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.1% higher at Arkansas State University than Jackson State University ($12,744.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Jackson State University ($12,011 vs. $15,292)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 3.4% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($10,100 vs. $10,445)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Jackson State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 29.1% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($11,225 vs. $8,694)

Arkansas State University vs. Jackson State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or Jackson State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Jackson State University or Arkansas State University .

  • The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 178 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas State University vs. Jackson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or Jackson State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Jackson State University and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (40% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Arkansas State University Main Campus earn on average $3,200 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($36,000 vs. $32,800)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $29,000)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($201 vs. $299)
  • More Arkansas State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/