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#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

Jackson State University Admission Requirements

Jackson, Mississippi

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Your chances of getting into Jackson State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

88.6%
Admission Difficulty for Jackson State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Jackson State University is 88.6%.  Its admission rate is the 10th lowest in Mississippi.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Jackson State University and can you get accepted?

Jackson State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 11,153 out of the 12,583 who applied were admitted.

Jackson State University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.1. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Jackson State University?

89% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Jackson State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.1 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1140 on the SAT
  • Score 18 on the ACT

Jackson State University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.1

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Jackson State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Jackson State University are to have around a 3.1 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.1 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Jackson State University accepts 89% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Jackson State University is 3.1 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #12 in Mississippi for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Jackson State University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Jackson State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 4.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 7.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 15.0% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 20.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 27.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 10.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Jackson State University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Jackson State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 1% of students submitted SAT scores and 43% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1073-1210

Applicants Submitting SAT 

1%
SAT Scores for Jackson State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 543
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1073
SAT Scores for Jackson State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 590
Composite 75th Percentile 1210
Average SAT Score 1140

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Jackson State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Jackson State University is 1140 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1073-1210. Students who get into Jackson State University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Jackson State University ranks #5 in the state of Mississippi for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1140 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Jackson State University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1073 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1073, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1010, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Jackson State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1140 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1141, you have around a 89% chance of being admitted. A 1210 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

Jackson State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1210 and Above Good >94%
1141 to 1210 Avg + 89%-94%
1073 to 1141 Avg - 81%-89%
1005 to 1073 Reach 69%-81%
Less than 1005 Low <69%
Calculate My Chances 

Jackson State University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

16-21 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

43%
ACT Scores for Jackson State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 14
Math 25th Percentile 15
Composite 25th Percentile 16
ACT Scores for Jackson State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 21
Math 75th Percentile 18
Composite 75th Percentile 21
Average ACT Score 18

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Jackson State University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Jackson State University is 18, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 16 and 21.  The school ranks #12 in Mississippi for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 18. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 16 and score in the score in the top 75 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

43 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Jackson State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Jackson State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Jackson State University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 18 score has around 89% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 21 ACT score.

Jackson State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
21 and Above Good >95%
18 to 21 Avg + 89%-95%
16 to 18 Avg - 83%-89%
14 to 16 Reach 74%-83%
Less than 14 Low <74%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Jackson State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,443 4,140 12,583
Accepted 7,524 3,629 11,153
Acceptance Rate 89% 88% 89%
Enrolled 714 418 1,132
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 12% 10%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

202

Applicants have 202 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jul 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Jackson State University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Jackson State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Jackson State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Jackson State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Jackson State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.1 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1140 and ACT of 18 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Jackson State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=175856 IPEDS survey data for Jackson State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024