Jackson State University vs. Austin Peay State University

Should I go to Jackson State University or Austin Peay State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jackson State University or Austin Peay 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Jackson State University vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
Jackson State University Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
Location Jackson, MS Clarksville, TN
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 6,564 9,945
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #974 #922
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsums.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $8,815 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $8,815 $12,552
Room & Board $11,782 $13,070
Avg Net Price $19,892 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $8,133 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 94%

Admission

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,141 5,559
Admitted 12,873 5,334
Acceptance Rate 91% 96%
Enrolled % 7.6% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 18/23
SAT Range 850/1080 943/1165
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 Aug 4, 2025

Academics

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 40% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,800 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $299 $232

Diversity

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 20% 9%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 4% 63%
% Black 92% 20%
% Hispanic 0% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 6%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Jackson State University Austin Peay State University
% In-State 30% 87%
% Out-of-State 69% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 6,564 students)

Jackson State University vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or Austin Peay State University?

  • Jackson State University is 25.8% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($8,815.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.4% higher at Austin Peay State University than Jackson State University ($12,552.00 vs. $8,815.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than Jackson State University ($14,679 vs. $19,892)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jackson State University are 10.9% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($11,782 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Jackson State University (94% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 38.3% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($11,247 vs. $8,133)

Jackson State University vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 101 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Jackson State University (91%)

Jackson State University vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jackson State University or Austin Peay 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 Austin Peay State University and Jackson State University.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Austin Peay State University (40% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Austin Peay State University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $32,800)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $29,000)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $67 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($232 vs. $299)
  • More Austin Peay State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 36%)

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