Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University's program mix is anchored in health, business, and public-safety fields — a signature that reflects the institution's regional identity as a comprehensive public university serving north Alabama and beyond. Health programs form the largest share of degree output, followed by business administration and criminal justice, together shaping a portfolio oriented toward stable, in-demand careers in local and regional labor markets.

The program combining the broadest graduate cohort with strong earnings is Nursing, which serves as the institution's primary economic driver by volume. Among the most popular programs, Nursing program graduates 295 students annually, with median earnings of $83,984 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #110 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Teacher Education and General Studies also enroll large cohorts — 157 and 106 graduates respectively — with median earnings of $47,385 and $42,864 four years after enrollment, reflecting the institution's strength in applied professional fields that lead directly into regional workforce demand. The highest-earning programs at Jacksonville State University cluster in health and technical fields.

Nursing leads on earnings, with graduates posting median earnings of $83,984 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #110 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business Administration and Security Science and Technology follow, with median earnings of $56,874 and $50,281 respectively four years after enrollment — programs that connect graduates directly to in-demand roles in healthcare and public service.

For context on how these fields align with national labor-market trends, see [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/).

Published cost of attendance is $24,257. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $12,472, middle-income families pay around $15,343, higher-income families pay approximately $18,183.

Azimuth ranks Jacksonville State University #332 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 76.8 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,189; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,672.

For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,318, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $251 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.

Graduates of Jacksonville State University earn median 4-year earnings of $55,318, placing Jacksonville State University in the 30.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $550 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Azimuth ranks Jacksonville State University #881 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 295 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $83,984, ranked #179 nationally in its major. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods reports 157 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $47,385, ranked #140 nationally in its major.

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities reports 106 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $42,864, ranked #174 nationally in its major. Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 77 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $56,874, ranked #299 nationally in its major.