Jacksonville State University vs. UNK

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

Jacksonville State University UNK
Location Jacksonville, AL Kearney, NE
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 9,632 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jacksonville State University UNK
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $12,036
Room & Board $8,640 $11,390
Avg Net Price $11,953 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Jacksonville State University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 6,794
Admitted 9,863 5,842
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 86%
Enrolled % 19.7% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 19/25
SAT Range 940/1200 1000/1200
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 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Jacksonville State University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Jacksonville State University UNK
Graduation Rate 32% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $240 $219

Diversity

Jacksonville State University UNK
% Men 40% 34%
% Women 60% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 79%
% Black 22% 2%
% Hispanic 1% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Jacksonville State University UNK
% In-State 72% 85%
% Out-of-State 25% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Jacksonville State University is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (9,632 students vs. 6,041 students)

Jacksonville State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University or UNK?

  • Jacksonville State University is 60.6% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($9,990.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 65.8% higher at Jacksonville State University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($19,950.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than UNK ($11,953 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 31.8% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,640 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 39% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,123 vs. $7,282)

Jacksonville State University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Jacksonville State University (1062) is 13 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming Jacksonville State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman Jacksonville State University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Jacksonville State University (78.5%)

Jacksonville State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jacksonville State University or UNK? 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 UNK and Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Jacksonville State University (61% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $6,400 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $37,000)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($21,250 vs. $23,250)
  • UNK graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Jacksonville State University graduates. ($219 vs. $240)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 39%)

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