About Jackson State University
Jackson State University was founded in Natchez, Mississippi, under the name Natchez Seminary in 1877. The university moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 1882 and officially became Jackson State University in 1974 after the curriculum expanded several times throughout the school’s history.
Today, Jackson State University is a public four-year university. As an HBCU, the university strives to empower a diverse range of students to become leaders in their fields and in their communities. Programs promote technical skills, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and global citizenship to address issues in society and industry.
Jackson State University is a research-intensive university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. The school offers traditional courses on campus, online courses, hybrid courses, and enhanced courses. JSU online offers students a quality education regardless of their physical location. Earn your degree at your convenience in a supportive learning environment with Jackson State University Online.
Degrees and certificates are housed in the following colleges:
- College of Business
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Health Science
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science, Engineering & Technology
Accreditation & Licensing
Jackson State University is accredited by:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Type:
4-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Doctor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 5,219 ; Graduate: 2,042Percent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 29% ; Graduate: 70%Graduation Rate:
51%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$39,060Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$30,470Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
81%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$8,235Credit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Jackson State University
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Education
Filters
Frequently Asked Questions About Jackson State University
Is Jackson State University accredited?
Yes. Jackson State University is institutionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many online programs does Jackson State University offer?
Jackson State University offers 19 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Jackson State University offer?
Jackson State University offers both bachelor's and master's level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Jackson State University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Jackson State University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Jackson State University falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Jackson State University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Jackson State University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
What GPA do most Jackson State University programs require?
GPA requirements typically range from 2.0 to 3.0, and 3.0 appears most often.
Is Jackson State University military friendly?
Jackson State University does not show Yellow Ribbon support. If military benefits matter for your plan, check current military options before you apply.
How can students request information from Jackson State University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Jackson State University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official College Transcript(s), Recommendation/Reference Letter(s), Essay/Writing Sample, and Interview. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Jackson State University accept life experience credit?
Jackson State University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Jackson State University programs fully online or mixed?
Jackson State University programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Jackson State University offer?
Jackson State University has online program options in areas such as Education, Art & Liberal Arts, Business, and Criminal Justice, Safety & Law; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Jackson State University programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); AACSB International (AACSB).
Are any admission tests required for Jackson State University programs?
Some listed programs include GRE or GMAT requirements, so students should check test expectations before choosing a program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Jackson State University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any Jackson State University programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Jackson State University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Jackson State University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Jackson State University programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
Featured Ranking Reports
Jackson State University is featured in 15 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
Jackson State University is located in Mississippi
Mississippi at a Glance:

Top Majors in Mississippi:
Top Incentives in Mississippi:
- Mississippi HELP Grant: Up to $3,000 annually
Top Career Pathways in Mississippi:
- Entry Level: Process Engineer ($60,000)
- Mid Level: Manufacturing Manager ($85,000)
- Senior Level: Plant Director ($130,000+)
- Required Education: BS Engineering
- Certifications: Six Sigma, PE















