Columbus State vs. Jackson State University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Jackson State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State 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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Columbus State University vs. Jackson State University comparison
Columbus State University Jackson State University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University Jackson State University
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Overview

Columbus State Jackson State University
Location Columbus, GA Jackson, MS
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 7,610 6,564
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #997 #974
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu jsums.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Jackson State University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $8,815
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $8,815
Room & Board $11,262 $11,782
Avg Net Price $11,384 $19,892
Avg Grant Aid $8,299 $8,133
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 92%

Admission

Columbus State Jackson State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,550 14,141
Admitted 3,523 12,873
Acceptance Rate 99.2% 91%
Enrolled % 30.7% 7.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.1
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 15/20
SAT Range 860/1100 850/1080
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 Jun 30, 2026 Jul 15, 2026

Academics

Columbus State Jackson State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Jackson State University
Graduation Rate 31% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $32,800
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $299

Diversity

Columbus State Jackson State University
% Men 7% 7%
% Women 14% 20%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 51% 4%
% Black 37% 92%
% Hispanic 6% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Columbus State Jackson State University
% In-State 91% 30%
% Out-of-State 7% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (7,610 students vs. 6,564 students)

Columbus State vs. Jackson State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Jackson State University is 101.7% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($8,815.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75% higher at Columbus State than Jackson State University ($15,425.00 vs. $8,815.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Jackson State University ($11,384 vs. $19,892)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 4.6% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($11,262 vs. $11,782)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Jackson State University (98% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 2% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($8,299 vs. $8,133)

Columbus State vs. Jackson State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 51 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Columbus State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Jackson State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Jackson State University (91%)

Columbus State vs. Jackson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Columbus State University (40% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $32,800)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $29,000)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($268 vs. $299)
  • More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 36%)

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