Student Body ↓

About

About Jackson State University

hbcudoctoral research universityhigh acceptance ratepre med programsmississippi based public school

Jackson State University is a public research university in Jackson, MS, known for its HBCU designation, high acceptance rate, and pre med programs. With an acceptance rate of 89%, JSU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 1,132 students each year. JSU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1073–1210, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. JSU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $8,085 per year; the sticker price of $26,326 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Jackson State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

89%
Overall Accept Rate
1142
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1073 – 1210 (test optional)

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

ACTScore range: 16 – 21

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Jackson State University

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Jackson State is a proud HBCU with a strong culture of community uplift and service to Mississippi. If you write a personal statement or any supplemental writing, connect your goals to how you plan to contribute to that mission, not just what you hope to gain.
Application Strategy
Jackson State has nationally recognized programs in STEM fields supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation, so if you are pursuing a science or engineering major, mention that focus explicitly in your application materials to align with the school's research strengths.

Get a tailored strategy for Jackson State University. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

Build My Free List →

Financial Aid & Cost

What Jackson State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$26k/yr$22.9k
30k-48k~$26k/yr$22.5k
48k-75k~$26k/yr$26.2k
75k-110k~$26k/yr$26.4k
110k+~$26k/yr$27.6k

Not sure what Jackson State University would cost your family? Build your free SpearMatch list. We show estimated net cost for every college on your list based on your income bracket.

Unlock real pricing for Jackson State University and matching colleges →

Personalize this page

Compare your profile to Jackson State University's admitted class

SpearMatch builds a tiered college list from your actual grades, scores, and preferences — and shows where you stand at every college. Free, no account, 4 minutes.

Build My Free List →

✓ Free forever  ·  ✓ No account  ·  ✓ 1,300+ four-year US colleges

Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

32%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$31k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
14:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
4,216
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

94%Black / African American
2%White
2%International
0%Two or More Races
0%American Indian / AK Native
0%Unknown / Unreported
0%Hispanic
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%Asian
Gender37% Men · 63% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status98% Citizens and Immigrants · 2% International
JSU, Jackson Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch