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Tennessee State University University of West Georgia Southern University and A & M College TROY PVAMU ULM SCSU AAMU GSU- Grambling VSU Alcorn State University University of Southern Mississippi| Jackson State University | Watkins College of Art Design & Film | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
| Location | Jackson, MS | Nashville, TN | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 6,564 | 193 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #974 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | jsums.edu | watkins.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $8,815 | $22,800 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $8,815 | $22,800 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,782 | $11,000 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,892 | - | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,133 | $0 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 92% | 0% |
Admission |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 14,141 | - | ||
| Admitted | 12,873 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 91% | |||
| Enrolled % | 7.6% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.1 | 3.33 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | 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, 2026 |
Academics |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 7:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
| Graduation Rate | 40% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $32,800 | $38,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 36% | 47% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $29,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $299 | $279 |
Diversity |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 7% | 37% | ||
| % Women | 20% | 63% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Extremely Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | Yes | No | ||
| % White | 4% | 69% | ||
| % Black | 92% | 15% | ||
| % Hispanic | 0% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 4% | ||
| % International | 2% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 0% |
Students |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 30% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 69% | 24% | ||
Campus |
Jackson State University | Watkins Institute | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Jackson State University is larger than than Watkins Institute based on total student enrollment (6,564 students vs. 193 students)
Jackson State University vs. Watkins Institute Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or Watkins Institute?
- Watkins College of Art Design & Film is 158.7% more expensive to attend than Jackson State University for in-state tuition ($22,800.00 vs. $8,815.00)
- Out of state tuition is 158.7% higher at Watkins Institute than Jackson State University ($22,800.00 vs. $8,815.00)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Watkins College of Art Design & Film are 7.1% lower than costs at Jackson State University ($11,000 vs. $11,782)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Jackson State University than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (92% vs. 0%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Jackson State University students is ?% larger than aid received Watkins College of Art Design & Film ($8,133 vs. $0)
Which college is harder to get into, Jackson State University or Watkins Institute? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Watkins Institute or Jackson State University .
- The average SAT score at Watkins College of Art Design & Film (1003) is 93 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
- Incoming Watkins Institute students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Jackson State University (19)
- Accepted freshman Watkins Institute students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
Jackson State University vs. Watkins Institute Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Jackson State University or Watkins Institute? 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 Watkins Institute and Jackson State University.
- The graduation rate at Jackson State University is higher than Watkins College of Art Design & Film (40% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Watkins College of Art Design & Film earn on average $5,900 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($38,700 vs. $32,800)
- Watkins College of Art Design & Film students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $29,000)
- Watkins Institute graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($279 vs. $299)
- More Watkins Institute graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 36%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/