Jackson State University vs. PVAMU

Deciding between Jackson State University and Prairie View A & M University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Jackson State University
Prairie View A & M University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Jackson State University Jackson, MS
  • PVAMU Prairie View, TX
  • Setting
  • Jackson State University Midsize City
  • PVAMU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Jackson State University 6,326
  • PVAMU 9,922
  • Type
  • Jackson State University Public 4 Year
  • PVAMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Jackson State University #998
  • PVAMU #1003
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Jackson State University -
  • PVAMU -
  • Status
  • Jackson State University Non-profit
  • PVAMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Jackson State University
  • PVAMU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Jackson State University $8,965
  • PVAMU $11,299
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Jackson State University $11,965
  • PVAMU $26,874
  • Room & Board
  • Jackson State University $14,341
  • PVAMU $10,317
  • Average Net Price
  • Jackson State University $23,450
  • PVAMU $14,448
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University $8,386
  • PVAMU $15,769
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University 89%
  • PVAMU 82%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Jackson State University 15,487
  • PVAMU 12,936
  • Admitted
  • Jackson State University 14,426
  • PVAMU 10,259
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Jackson State University 93.1%
  • PVAMU 79.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Jackson State University 6.6%
  • PVAMU 18.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Jackson State University 950
  • PVAMU 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • Jackson State University 17
  • PVAMU 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • Jackson State University 3.1
  • PVAMU 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Jackson State University B
  • PVAMU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Jackson State University Extremely Easy
  • PVAMU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Jackson State University
  • PVAMU
  • ACT Range
  • Jackson State University 15/20
  • PVAMU 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • Jackson State University 820/1070
  • PVAMU 860/1080
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Jackson State University Test optional
  • PVAMU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • PVAMU Mar 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Jackson State University 14:1
  • PVAMU 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Jackson State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • PVAMU
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • General Studies (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Jackson State University 40%
  • PVAMU 34%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Jackson State University $32,800
  • PVAMU $39,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Jackson State University 36%
  • PVAMU 28%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Jackson State University $29,000
  • PVAMU $28,955
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Jackson State University $299
  • PVAMU $299
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Jackson State University 34%
  • PVAMU 34%
  • % Women
  • Jackson State University 66%
  • PVAMU 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Jackson State University Extremely Low
  • PVAMU Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • PVAMU Yes
  • % White
  • Jackson State University 4%
  • PVAMU 3%
  • % Asian
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • PVAMU 3%
  • % Black
  • Jackson State University 92%
  • PVAMU 86%
  • % Hispanic
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • PVAMU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • PVAMU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • PVAMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Jackson State University 1%
  • PVAMU 1%
  • % International
  • Jackson State University 2%
  • PVAMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • PVAMU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Jackson State University 26%
  • PVAMU 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Jackson State University 72%
  • PVAMU 14%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • PVAMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Jackson State University No
  • PVAMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • PVAMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Jackson State University No
  • PVAMU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • PVAMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Jackson State University in Jackson, MS with Prairie View A & M University in Prairie View, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Prairie View A & M University is larger than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (9,922 students vs. 6,326 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Jackson State University is located in Jackson, MS (Midsize City setting); Prairie View A & M University is in Prairie View, TX (Distant Town setting).
  • Jackson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Prairie View A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Jackson State University 14:1; Prairie View A & M University 17:1.

Jackson State University vs. PVAMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or PVAMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Prairie View A & M University than Jackson State University ($14,448 vs. $23,450).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Prairie View A & M University are 28.1% lower than at Jackson State University ($10,317 vs. $14,341).
  • Prairie View A & M University is 26% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jackson State University (about $2,334 more per year; $11,299.00 vs. $8,965.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 124.6% higher at PVAMU than at Jackson State University (about $14,909 more per year; $26,874.00 vs. $11,965.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jackson State University than at Prairie View A & M University (89% vs. 82%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Prairie View A & M University students is 88% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($15,769 vs. $8,386).

Jackson State University vs. PVAMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson State University or PVAMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PVAMU and Jackson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Prairie View A & M University (970) is 20 points higher than at Jackson State University (950).
  • Incoming PVAMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Jackson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 820/1070; Prairie View A & M University 860/1080.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 15/20; Prairie View A & M University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson State University - Test optional; PVAMU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027; PVAMU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman PVAMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Jackson State University (3.1).
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than PVAMU (79.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at Jackson State University vs. 18.4% at PVAMU.

Jackson State University vs. PVAMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson State University and PVAMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Jackson State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Prairie View A & M University's (34%).
  • Graduates from Prairie View A & M University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Jackson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $32,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Prairie View A & M University graduates have a $45 lower median loan debt than Jackson State University graduates ($28,955 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Prairie View A & M University and Jackson State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($299 vs. $299).
  • More Jackson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PVAMU students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.