Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Jacksonville State University at a Glance
Jacksonville State University is a public university in Jacksonville, Alabama, United States. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in six academic schools leading to bachelor's, master's, education specialist, and doctorate degrees in addition to certificate programs and continuing education opportunities.
1883
143 years old
$57M
$57 million (2023)
9,955
8,663 undergrad · 1,473 grad
350
Identity
Is Jacksonville State University Worth It?
Jacksonville State University offers moderate value at $14,279/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $45,235, which is 16% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Jacksonville State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #68 of 155 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #68 | Jacksonville State University | 42 | $14,279 | $45,235 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Jacksonville State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in AL.
Best Programs at Jacksonville State University
The highest-earning program at Jacksonville State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $55,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General at $22,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Jacksonville State University earns $55,600, while a Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General graduate earns $22,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $15,750 in median debt vs. $24,782 for Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,279/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $55,600 | $55,600 | $15,750 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | $49,100 | $49,100 | $32,967 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $43,500 | $43,500 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,100 | $35,100 | $25,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,500 | $34,500 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $33,800 | $33,800 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,300 | $33,300 | $28,315 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $32,900 | $32,900 | $23,359 |
| Social Work | $30,000 | $30,000 | $25,800 |
| History | $29,100 | $29,100 | $26,000 |
| Marketing | $28,200 | $28,200 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,800 | $27,800 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $24,800 | $24,800 | $28,150 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $24,100 | $24,100 | $28,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,900 | $23,900 | $30,875 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,600 | $23,600 | $32,719 |
| Psychology, General | $23,500 | $23,500 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | $22,800 | $22,800 | $21,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $22,500 | $22,500 | $24,782 |
Similar Colleges in AL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Jacksonville, AL
- Student Body
- 7,036 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,279
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,235
- Median Student Debt
- $22,189