Jackson State University vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Jackson State University or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jackson State University or Columbia Southern 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. Columbia Southern University comparison
Jackson State University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Jackson State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
Location Jackson, MS Orange Beach, AL
Setting Midsize City Distant Rural
Enrollment 6,564 18,487
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #974
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website jsums.edu columbiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
Tuition (In State) $8,815 $5,528
Tuition (Out of State) $8,815 $5,528
Room & Board $11,782 $8,932
Avg Net Price $19,892 $14,085
Avg Grant Aid $8,133 $3,995
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 51%

Admission

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,141 -
Admitted 12,873 -
Acceptance Rate 91% Open
Enrolled % 7.6% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.1 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20
SAT Range 850/1080
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
Graduation Rate 40% 22%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,800 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $16,404
Median Loan Payment $299 $169

Diversity

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
% Men 7% 16%
% Women 20% 13%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 4% 58%
% Black 92% 23%
% Hispanic 0% 7%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 7%

Students

Jackson State University Columbia Southern University
% In-State 30% 15%
% Out-of-State 69% 85%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia Southern University is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (18,487 students vs. 6,564 students)

Jackson State University vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or Columbia Southern University?

  • Jackson State University is 59.5% more expensive to attend than Columbia Southern University for in-state tuition ($8,815.00 vs. $5,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.5% higher at Jackson State University than Columbia Southern University ($8,815.00 vs. $5,528.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia Southern University than Jackson State University ($14,085 vs. $19,892)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 31.9% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($8,932 vs. $11,782)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jackson State University than Columbia Southern University (92% vs. 51%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jackson State University students is 103.6% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($8,133 vs. $3,995)

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

Jackson State University vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jackson State University or Columbia Southern 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 Columbia Southern University and Jackson State University.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Columbia Southern University (40% vs. 22%)
  • Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $12,596 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($16,404 vs. $29,000)
  • Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $130 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($169 vs. $299)
  • More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 36%)

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