Jackson State University vs. Memphis

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

Jackson State University Memphis
Location Jackson, MS Memphis, TN
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 6,906 21,917
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #961 #883
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsums.edu memphis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jackson State University Memphis
Tuition (In State) $8,270 $8,352
Tuition (Out of State) $8,270 $12,576
Room & Board $10,445 $10,126
Avg Net Price $15,292 $13,873
Avg Grant Aid $8,694 $9,625
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 98%

Admission

Jackson State University Memphis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,583 15,767
Admitted 11,153 14,916
Acceptance Rate 88.6% 94.6%
Enrolled % 10.1% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.48
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/21 17/24
SAT Range 1073/1210 930/1230
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Jackson State University Memphis
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)

Outcomes

Jackson State University Memphis
Graduation Rate 40% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,800 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $25,250
Median Loan Payment $299 $261

Diversity

Jackson State University Memphis
% Men 33% 40%
% Women 67% 60%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 4% 50%
% Black 92% 37%
% Hispanic 0% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Jackson State University Memphis
% In-State 27% 81%
% Out-of-State 72% 17%

Campus

Jackson State University Memphis
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

  • University of Memphis is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (21,917 students vs. 6,906 students)

Jackson State University vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Memphis is 1% more expensive to attend than Jackson State University for in-state tuition ($8,352.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.1% higher at Memphis than Jackson State University ($12,576.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Memphis than Jackson State University ($13,873 vs. $15,292)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 3.2% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($10,126 vs. $10,445)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Memphis than Jackson State University (98% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 10.7% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($9,625 vs. $8,694)

Jackson State University vs. Memphis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Memphis (1029) is 119 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming Memphis students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (94.6%) than Jackson State University (88.6%)

Jackson State University vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jackson State University or Memphis? 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 Memphis and Jackson State University.

  • The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than University of Memphis (40% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Memphis earn on average $9,400 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($42,200 vs. $32,800)
  • University of Memphis students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($25,250 vs. $29,000)
  • Memphis graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($261 vs. $299)
  • More Memphis 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/