Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Jacksonville University at a Glance
Jacksonville University (JU) is a private university in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. Located in the city's Arlington district, the school was founded in 1934 as a two-year college and was known as Jacksonville Junior College until September 5, 1956, when it shifted focus to building four-year university degree programs and later graduated its first four-year degree candidates as Jacksonville University in June 1959.
1934
92 years old
$59M
$59.2 million (2022)
2,946
180
260 acres
Identity
Is Jacksonville University Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Jacksonville University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $68,010 — 26% above average — while paying $25,180/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 54% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Jacksonville University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Jacksonville University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #19 of 42 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 | University of St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | Augustana College | 53 | $22,736 | $62,971 |
| #5 | Stonehill College | 46 | $33,016 | $77,745 |
| #6 | University of Dallas | 45 | $22,610 | $58,285 |
| #19 | Jacksonville University | 36 | $25,180 | $68,010 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Jacksonville University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in FL.
Best Programs at Jacksonville University
The highest-earning program at Jacksonville University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $27,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Jacksonville University earns $66,400, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $27,500. 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 $20,975 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,180/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 | $66,400 | $66,400 | $20,975 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $42,200 | $42,200 | $26,000 |
| Air Transportation | $38,700 | $38,700 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,500 | $27,500 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Jacksonville, FL
- Student Body
- 2,930 students
- Admission Rate
- 57%
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,180
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,010
- Median Student Debt
- $22,000