Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama · Public · 77.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 32/100 · Poor Value
Jacksonville State University scores 32 (Poor Value) on the CampusROI scale. The 19.3-year payback period and 57.5% loan repayment rate are the worst signals. Median 6-year earnings are $31,800 -- low even against a net price of $14,279 for in-state students. The 54.7% completion rate means roughly half of enrollees do not earn a degree. Nursing is the clear outlier: 240 graduates, $68,896 year-one, $83,984 year-four, ROI grade B+ (debt-to-earnings 0.312) -- this is a strong program at low cost. Computer and Information Sciences (31 graduates, B grade) and Finance (35 graduates, B grade, low debt) also perform better than the aggregate. The bulk of the institution's programs -- Criminal Justice, Psychology, Health Sciences, Fine Arts -- carry D or F grades. The repayment rate of 57.5% at year three is a serious signal: nearly half of borrowers are behind on repayment three years post-enrollment. JSU is a regional public university in northeastern Alabama serving a predominantly in-state population, with 42.6% Pell grant recipients. The core ROI concern is that most programs produce earnings that cannot reliably support the debt load graduates carry.
The data raises concerns about Jacksonville State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score32/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period19.3 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Jacksonville State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,894/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,334/yr |
| Average net price | $14,279/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,116 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,235 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,189 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $235 |
| Estimated payback period | 19.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 54.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 7,036 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Jacksonville State University is $12,894/year ($23,334/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,279/year, or roughly $57,116 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,472/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,183/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,189 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $235 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $45,235 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.70 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,472 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,622 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,343 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,480 |
| $110,001+ | $18,183 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $12,472 net price per year at JSU -- a low figure that reflects Pell grants and state aid working together for the highest-need students. Total 4-year cost near $50,000 is affordable in absolute terms, but only if students complete. For lower-income students who borrow and do not graduate, even this cost creates unmanageable debt against earnings that never materialize. The 54.7% completion rate is the primary risk factor for this population.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $15,343 (48001-75000) and $17,480 (75001-110000) per year. These are reasonable prices for a regional public university. For students entering nursing, CS, or finance, the payback from program earnings is fast even at the middle bracket. For students in lower-earning programs, the 19.3-year aggregate payback period suggests structural earnings inadequacy. Middle-income families should weight program choice heavily when evaluating JSU.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $18,183 per year -- $72,732 over four years, a very low total cost for a traditional college. For full-pay families whose students enter nursing or technical programs, JSU represents genuine value. For students who will be full-pay and are targeting general business, social sciences, or fine arts, the earnings data are harder to justify even at this price. The program selection decision matters more here than the institution-level price.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Jacksonville State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $83,984 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $47,385 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $42,864 | D |
| Biology | $48,523 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $56,874 | C |
| Security Science and Technology | $50,281 | D |
| Social Work | $45,882 | D |
| Music | $47,582 | D |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $46,042 | F |
| Marketing | $47,514 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is JSU's best program by a clear margin: 240 graduates, $68,896 year-one, $83,984 year-four, ROI grade B+ with debt-to-earnings 0.312 and median debt $21,500. At in-state cost, this is an outstanding value for Alabama nursing students. Year-one earnings of $68,896 against median debt of $21,500 produces the kind of debt-to-earnings ratio that makes nursing at low-cost public institutions one of the best ROI propositions in higher education. JSU nursing feeds directly into Alabama healthcare systems.
Computer and Information Sciences
31 graduates, $62,795 year-one, $79,129 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.375 and median debt $23,578. CS at JSU earns a B grade -- above the institutional average by a wide margin. Year-one earnings nearly double the institutional median of $31,800, reflecting the national demand for CS-trained workers. Students who complete this program at JSU's low in-state price benefit from a favorable cost-to-earnings ratio despite the institution's overall weak ROI profile.
Finance and Financial Management
35 graduates, $39,457 year-one, $70,025 year-four, ROI grade B with low median debt of $14,875 and debt-to-earnings 0.377. The finance program's B grade is driven primarily by very low median debt -- $14,875 is among the lowest figures at this institution. Year-one earnings are modest but the four-year trajectory to $70k is solid. Low-debt finance graduates at JSU are positioned well relative to their borrowing; the risk is that fewer students reach the four-year earnings milestone.
Quality Control and Safety Technologies
30 graduates, $57,466 year-one, $90,850 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.413 and median debt $23,709. An often-overlooked technical program with strong earnings -- year-four of $90,850 is the second-highest four-year figure at JSU. Quality control and safety technicians serve manufacturing, defense, and industrial sectors with high labor demand in the Southeast. Students interested in technical careers who want strong earnings without CS or engineering should examine this program.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 53.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 57.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 45.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 50.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 500-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-24 |
| Enrollment | 7,036 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,074 |
JSU's 77.7% admission rate and ACT range of 17-24 indicate a broad-access institution. The lower end of the ACT range -- 17 -- corresponds to minimal college readiness by most benchmarks, suggesting the institution serves a wide ability range. For academically prepared students, JSU offers a low-cost credential; for students near the lower boundary of the ACT range, the 54.7% completion rate is a direct risk signal. Students who enroll without completing leave with debt and no degree.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
JSU's Scorecard peers include Alabama A&M, UAB, Idaho State, Colorado Mesa, and Morehead State. JSU (ROI 32) scores below UAB, which offers stronger graduate earnings from a larger research and healthcare ecosystem in Birmingham. Among regional Alabama and Appalachian publics, JSU is typical -- moderate cost, broad access, mixed outcomes. The nursing program outcome (B+ grade) is competitive with many larger institutions. The aggregate ROI weakness relative to peers is driven by a program mix that skews toward lower-earning fields and a repayment rate (57.5% at year three) that trails most comparable institutions.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University (this school) | 32 | $14,279 | $45,235 |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 55 | $18,749 | $54,501 |
| Idaho State University | 38 | $12,193 | $45,608 |
| Colorado Mesa University | 33 | $15,103 | $45,823 |
| Morehead State University | 32 | $9,793 | $43,197 |
| Alabama A & M University | 10 | $17,621 | $40,628 |
Who Thrives Here
JSU admits 77.7% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 500-660 Math and 500-630 Reading; ACT composite 17-24. Enrollment of 7,036 is mid-sized for a regional Alabama public. The 42.6% Pell rate indicates a high proportion of lower-income students -- a population that faces concentrated financial risk when completion rates and earnings outcomes are weak. Students targeting nursing, computer science, or engineering technology have clear paths to strong outcomes. Students entering general liberal arts, social sciences, or fine arts programs should closely examine program-specific outcomes before committing.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Jacksonville State University. With a net cost of $14,279 per year and median graduate earnings of only $45,235 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 19.3 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,189 against $45,235 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.