University of West Alabama vs. Jackson State University

Deciding between University of West Alabama and Jackson State 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

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of West Alabama Livingston, AL
  • Jackson State University Jackson, MS
  • Setting
  • University of West Alabama Remote Rural
  • Jackson State University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of West Alabama 6,820
  • Jackson State University 6,326
  • Type
  • University of West Alabama Public 4 Year
  • Jackson State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of West Alabama #992
  • Jackson State University #998
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of West Alabama -
  • Jackson State University -
  • Status
  • University of West Alabama Non-profit
  • Jackson State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of West Alabama
  • Jackson State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of West Alabama $10,990
  • Jackson State University $8,965
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of West Alabama $20,090
  • Jackson State University $11,965
  • Room & Board
  • University of West Alabama $8,230
  • Jackson State University $14,341
  • Average Net Price
  • University of West Alabama $13,954
  • Jackson State University $23,450
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of West Alabama $9,037
  • Jackson State University $8,386
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of West Alabama 93%
  • Jackson State University 89%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of West Alabama Calculate
  • Jackson State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of West Alabama 2,729
  • Jackson State University 15,487
  • Admitted
  • University of West Alabama 1,164
  • Jackson State University 14,426
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of West Alabama 42.7%
  • Jackson State University 93.1%
  • Enrolled
  • University of West Alabama 33.4%
  • Jackson State University 6.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of West Alabama 990
  • Jackson State University 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of West Alabama 18
  • Jackson State University 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of West Alabama 3.16
  • Jackson State University 3.1
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of West Alabama B+
  • Jackson State University B
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of West Alabama Extremely Easy
  • Jackson State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of West Alabama Low
  • Jackson State University
  • ACT Range
  • University of West Alabama 16/21
  • Jackson State University 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • University of West Alabama 860/1120
  • Jackson State University 820/1070
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of West Alabama Test optional
  • Jackson State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027
  • Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of West Alabama 19:1
  • Jackson State University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of West Alabama
    • Education (27%)
    • Health Professions (24%)
    • Business (14%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Jackson State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of West Alabama 28%
  • Jackson State University 40%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of West Alabama $38,500
  • Jackson State University $32,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of West Alabama 36%
  • Jackson State University 36%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of West Alabama $26,489
  • Jackson State University $29,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of West Alabama $273
  • Jackson State University $299
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of West Alabama 26%
  • Jackson State University 34%
  • % Women
  • University of West Alabama 74%
  • Jackson State University 66%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of West Alabama High
  • Jackson State University Extremely Low
  • HBCU
  • University of West Alabama No
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • % White
  • University of West Alabama 45%
  • Jackson State University 4%
  • % Asian
  • University of West Alabama 0%
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • % Black
  • University of West Alabama 40%
  • Jackson State University 92%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of West Alabama 2%
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • % Native American
  • University of West Alabama 0%
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of West Alabama 0%
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of West Alabama 2%
  • Jackson State University 1%
  • % International
  • University of West Alabama 6%
  • Jackson State University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of West Alabama 4%
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of West Alabama 82%
  • Jackson State University 26%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of West Alabama 13%
  • Jackson State University 72%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Jackson State University in Jackson, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 6,326 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Jackson State University is in Jackson, MS (Midsize City setting).
  • University of West Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Jackson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of West Alabama 19:1; Jackson State University 14:1.

University of West Alabama vs. Jackson State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Jackson State University? 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 University of West Alabama than Jackson State University ($13,954 vs. $23,450).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 42.6% lower than at Jackson State University ($8,230 vs. $14,341).
  • University of West Alabama is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jackson State University (about $2,025 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,965.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67.9% higher at University of West Alabama than at Jackson State University (about $8,125 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $11,965.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at Jackson State University (93% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Alabama students is 7.8% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($9,037 vs. $8,386).

University of West Alabama vs. Jackson State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or Jackson State University? 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 Jackson State University and University of West Alabama.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of West Alabama (990) is 40 points higher than at Jackson State University (950).
  • Incoming University of West Alabama 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: University of West Alabama 860/1120; Jackson State University 820/1070.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; Jackson State University 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; Jackson State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of West Alabama students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Jackson State University (3.1).
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 6.6% at Jackson State University.

University of West Alabama vs. Jackson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama and Jackson State University? 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 University of West Alabama's (28%).
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Jackson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $32,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of West Alabama graduates have a $2,511 lower median loan debt than Jackson State University graduates ($26,489 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of West Alabama graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jackson State University graduates ($273 vs. $299).
  • More University of West Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 36%)

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.