Jacksonville State University vs. University of South Alabama

Should I go to Jacksonville State University or University of South Alabama? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Jacksonville State University or University of South Alabama 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 South Alabama comparison
Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama College 3 College 4
Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
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Overview

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
Location Jacksonville, AL Mobile, AL
Setting Small Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 9,632 13,438
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #684
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu southalabama.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $8,616
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $17,232
Room & Board $8,640 $8,510
Avg Net Price $11,953 $15,664
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $7,686
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 12,550
Admitted 9,863 8,203
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 65.4%
Enrolled % 19.7% 19.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.69
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23 20/26
SAT Range 940/1200 1003/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
Graduation Rate 32% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $45,200
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $240 $253

Diversity

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
% Men 40% 32%
% Women 60% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 70% 59%
% Black 22% 24%
% Hispanic 1% 3%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Jacksonville State University University of South Alabama
% In-State 72% 73%
% Out-of-State 25% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Jacksonville State University based on total student enrollment (13,438 students vs. 9,632 students)

Jacksonville State University vs. University of South Alabama Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jacksonville State University or University of South Alabama?

  • Jacksonville State University is 15.9% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($9,990.00 vs. $8,616.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.8% higher at Jacksonville State University than University of South Alabama ($19,950.00 vs. $17,232.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than University of South Alabama ($11,953 vs. $15,664)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 1.5% lower than costs at Jacksonville State University ($8,510 vs. $8,640)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University than University of South Alabama (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 31.7% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($10,123 vs. $7,686)

Jacksonville State University vs. University of South Alabama Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Jacksonville State University (1062) is 17 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming Jacksonville State University students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at University of South Alabama (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Jacksonville State University (3.43)
  • Jacksonville State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than University of South Alabama (65.4%)

Jacksonville State University vs. University of South Alabama Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jacksonville State University or University of South Alabama? 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 University of South Alabama and Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Alabama is higher than Jacksonville State University (39% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $8,200 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $37,000)
  • Jacksonville State University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,500)
  • Jacksonville State University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than University of South Alabama graduates. ($240 vs. $253)
  • More University of South Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 39%)

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