Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Jackson State University #570 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 61.2nd percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Jackson State University in the 60.8th percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Jackson State University #333 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 77.4th percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Jackson State University #570 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 61.2 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public research university (Carnegie R2) in Jackson, Mississippi, Jackson State University enrolls roughly 4,600 undergraduates. Retention stands at 62.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 50.9%, reflecting the institution's commitment to student completion. What anchors Jackson State University's composite is mobility and access. Nearly 72.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.0% are first-generation college students — among the highest shares in the nation. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $47,606, placing Jackson State University in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Jackson State University #1166 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 21.2 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution moves its graduates into stable careers at rates that reflect strong regional demand, particularly in education and related fields where Education represents the dominant program concentration. Return and affordability sit lower in the composite, reflecting median earnings in the mid-to-upper-$30,000 range and a cost structure typical of public regional universities. Azimuth ranks Jackson State University in the 23.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For low-income and first-generation students seeking a pathway to stable employment with meaningful community impact — particularly in education, social services, and public-sector careers — Jackson State University delivers measurable economic mobility grounded in strong graduation outcomes and regional labor-market alignment.
Jackson State University's published cost of attendance is $32,415. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $22,869, middle-income families pay around $26,236, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,576. Azimuth ranks Jackson State University #1086 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Jackson State participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and the institution administers state and institutional aid to help close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply using the FAFSA, and aid packages typically combine grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The affordability rank reflects both the headline net-price figures and the debt load graduates carry: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that distinction helps families plan realistically. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,470, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,606, median federal debt of $30,470 projects to a monthly payment of about $344 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Jackson State University is a strong fit for students interested in education, social sciences, and public service fields who want a public research university experience in Jackson, MS. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $47,606, placing Jackson State University in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 72.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.0% are first-generation — and delivers outcomes that place Jackson State University in the 5.4 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure. Fit depends on two realistic filters: Education represents 16% of degrees, and the published net price for higher-income families is $27,576. Students whose interests align with these areas and who can manage the published costs will find meaningful returns relative to MS's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $29,193.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Jackson State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Jackson State University's published cost of attendance is $32,415. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $22,869, middle-income families pay around $26,236, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,576.
Azimuth ranks Jackson State University #1086 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Jackson State participates in federal need-based aid programs including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and the institution administers state and institutional aid to help close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply using the FAFSA, and aid packages typically combine grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
The affordability rank reflects both the headline net-price figures and the debt load graduates carry: [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding that distinction helps families plan realistically. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,470, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $15,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $47,606, median federal debt of $30,470 projects to a monthly payment of about $344 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Jackson State University earn median 4-year earnings of $47,606, placing Jackson State University in the 9.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs below the $56,249 median at comparable institutions.
Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Jackson State University in the 60.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes represent lifetime returns relative to MS's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $29,193 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).
Education represents 16% of Jackson State University's degree output and anchors the institution's program portfolio. Biology, General is the largest program with 137 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $38,027, performing at 0.7× the national benchmark for the field.
The Criminal Justice program graduates 93 students with median 4-year earnings of $46,799, also tracking near benchmark at 0.8×. Social Work and Business Administration round out the top programs, each delivering earnings outcomes aligned with or modestly above their respective CIP-family benchmarks.
Azimuth ranks Jackson State University #1166 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Computer Engineering
26 graduates
Civil Engineering
16 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
35 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
44 graduates
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
17 graduates
Jackson State University's program mix is anchored in education, health professions, and business fields—a portfolio reflecting the institution's mission as a historically Black university serving the Southeast. Biology, General is the largest program with 137 graduates annually, followed by Criminal Justice, Social Work, Business Administration, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Across 29 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength in education and applied professional fields. The earnings pattern reflects the institution's dominant program families.
Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,246 with 75 graduates, while Criminal Justice delivers median earnings of $46,799. Health Administration graduates earn $45,308, and Psychology, General reaches $44,881.
These outcomes cluster in fields where Jackson State University maintains substantial enrollment and employer relationships—particularly in education, nursing, and business administration, where graduates enter stable, in-demand careers aligned with regional labor-market needs. Education represents 16% of Jackson State University's degree output, making it the institution's primary focus and economic anchor.
Health professions and business together account for significant enrollment shares, creating a program portfolio oriented toward workforce-ready outcomes in sectors with consistent hiring demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fitchburg State University Similar quality tier (#15584 ranked) | MA | 87% | $53,874 | #15584 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Humacao Similar quality tier (#15589 ranked) | PR | 55% | $29,521 | #15589 | Compare |
State University Of New York At Cortland Similar quality tier (#15572 ranked) | NY | 60% | $60,236 | #15572 | Compare |
Western Washington University Similar quality tier (#15605 ranked) | WA | 93% | $62,569 | #15605 | Compare |
Westfield State University Similar quality tier (#15566 ranked) | MA | 81% | $57,346 | #15566 | Compare |
