Top Ranked Programs
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/).