Jacksonville State University admits approximately 76.2% of applicants, representing open access admission standards where roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Jacksonville State among institutions prioritizing broad educational access rather than selective admission. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Jacksonville State maintains slightly more selective standards than typical regional public universities, though still firmly within the open access category. This admission rate means that students with solid academic preparation can expect realistic admission prospects, though meeting basic academic requirements remains important. The university's open access mission aligns with its role serving first-generation and Pell-eligible students in Alabama and the Southeast region. Students should view Jacksonville State as an accessible option while still demonstrating academic readiness through coursework completion and reasonable test performance. For prospective students, this admission rate indicates that academic fit and program quality should drive decision-making more than admission uncertainty.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Jacksonville State typically score 970-1260 on the SAT, with a median of 1055, and 17-24 on the ACT with a median of 20. The middle 50% SAT range breaks down to 480-640 in Math and 490-620 in Verbal, indicating balanced academic preparation across subjects. These test scores rank at the 88th percentile for SAT and 87th percentile for ACT nationally, demonstrating that Jacksonville State attracts academically capable students despite open admission policies. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1090, Jacksonville State enrolled students score 35 points lower on average, though this difference reflects the university's access mission rather than academic quality concerns. Students scoring within the 970-1260 SAT range or 17-24 ACT range align well with the typical academic profile of enrolled students. Those scoring below these ranges should not view admission as impossible, as the university evaluates applications holistically and considers factors beyond test performance. Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness through consistent coursework performance and meeting any program-specific requirements rather than solely pursuing higher test scores.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Jacksonville State enrolls a diverse student body that reflects its access mission and regional focus. The university serves 43.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating significant enrollment of students from lower-income families, well above national averages for four-year institutions. First-generation students comprise 36.4% of enrollment, demonstrating the university's role in expanding higher education access to families where college attendance is not traditional. Transfer students represent 21.5% of enrolled students, reflecting the institution's commitment to providing pathways for community college graduates and students changing academic directions. This composition suggests that Jacksonville State prioritizes serving students from diverse educational and economic backgrounds rather than focusing primarily on traditional, well-prepared high school graduates. Students from lower-income families should recognize that nearly half of their potential classmates share similar economic circumstances, creating a supportive environment for those navigating college as first-generation or Pell-eligible students. The substantial transfer population indicates established support systems for students transitioning from other institutions.
With Jacksonville State's 76% acceptance rate, admission should be accessible for most students with solid academic preparation. However, students seeking different options can consider these alternatives.
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Jacksonville State retains 64.4% of freshmen for sophomore year, below the peer median of 73.2%, indicating that academic and social adjustment challenges affect a significant portion of students. The six-year graduation rate of 51.1% slightly exceeds the peer median of 49.3%, suggesting that students who persist through the initial transition tend to complete degrees successfully. Pell-eligible students graduate at 44.5%, creating a 6.6 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate, which reflects the additional challenges faced by lower-income students but remains manageable compared to national patterns. The retention and completion data indicate that academic preparation and engagement during the first year significantly influence long-term success. Students should expect to need active participation in support services and academic resources, particularly during the transition period. The relatively small Pell completion gap suggests that Jacksonville State provides adequate support systems for lower-income students, though all students benefit from utilizing available academic and financial aid resources.
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