Students at Jacksonville University achieve earnings that significantly exceed expectations, with graduates earning about $11,666 more than similar students at comparable institutions nationwide.
This earnings advantage places JU in the top tier for both overall graduate earnings and outcomes for low-income students.
Jacksonville University ranks among the stronger private institutions nationally for long-term financial outcomes, placing in the top 20% for graduate earnings. Located in Florida, this medium-sized private nonprofit university combines the personalized attention of a smaller institution with career outcomes that rival much larger universities. With about 30% of students receiving Pell Grants and 36% being first-generation college students, JU maintains meaningful access while delivering consistently strong financial returns.
What distinguishes Jacksonville University is its ability to help graduates earn significantly more than expected—about $11,666 above what similar students achieve at comparable institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $68,010, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing and healthcare fields that form the backbone of the university's academic reputation.
As a private university in Jacksonville, JU offers the advantages of smaller class sizes and closer faculty relationships while maintaining strong connections to Florida's growing job market. The university's focus on professional programs, especially in health sciences, creates clear pathways to stable, well-paying careers that continue to appreciate over time.
Jacksonville University's program portfolio centers on professional fields that lead directly to stable, well-paying careers. Nursing stands out as the university's flagship program, graduating 338 students annually with median earnings of $66,857 ten years out. This program represents JU's highest aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment with strong financial outcomes that reflect the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals in Florida and beyond.
The university also offers specialized programs in Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science, graduating about 33 students annually with early-career earnings around $44,835. While smaller in scale, this program connects to Florida's significant aviation industry and provides pathways into both commercial aviation and aerospace careers. Actuarial Science, with 27 graduates earning approximately $44,189, represents another niche program that prepares students for specialized roles in insurance and risk management.
Jacksonville University's program mix reflects a focused approach to career preparation rather than broad liberal arts offerings. The emphasis on nursing and healthcare fields aligns with both regional employment opportunities and national trends toward healthcare career growth. This targeted approach helps explain why JU graduates consistently earn more than expected, as the university concentrates resources on programs with clear career pathways and strong earning potential rather than spreading efforts across numerous fields with varying job market prospects.
Jacksonville University delivers strong long-term financial outcomes for its graduates. Ten years after enrollment, students earn a median of $68,010, placing the university in the top 20% nationally for graduate earnings. More importantly, JU graduates earn about $11,666 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add substantial value beyond what would be expected based on student characteristics and institutional profile.
The university's strongest returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 338 students annually with median earnings of $66,857 ten years out. This program represents JU's highest aggregate return, combining substantial enrollment with solid earnings outcomes. Other notable programs include Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science, though with smaller cohorts of about 33 graduates, and Actuarial Science with 27 graduates earning around $44,189 early in their careers.
Jacksonville University's location in Florida provides graduates access to the state's diverse economy, from healthcare and aviation to finance and tourism. The combination of strong program-specific outcomes, particularly in nursing and healthcare fields, with the university's overall track record of exceeding earnings expectations makes JU a compelling choice for students focused on long-term financial success.
Affordability at Jacksonville University presents a mixed picture typical of private institutions. Low-income students pay about $23,467 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $22,141—both figures that place JU in the lower quartile nationally for affordability among private universities. High-income families face higher net prices of approximately $30,566, reflecting the institution's private tuition structure and more limited need-based aid for higher earners.
Debt levels at Jacksonville University are manageable relative to the earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $22,000, which aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings of $68,010 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $21,210, a moderate level that many families can handle given the strong career outcomes JU delivers. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
While Jacksonville University requires a higher upfront investment than public alternatives, the combination of strong earnings outcomes and manageable debt levels creates a sustainable financial model for most families. The university's ability to help graduates earn significantly more than expected helps justify the premium, particularly for students in high-return programs like nursing where career prospects are both stable and lucrative.
Jacksonville University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
