Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Jackson, Mississippi
91% Acceptance Rate
Jackson State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91%Acceptance Rate
3.1Avg GPA
974Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$28,611Annual Cost
$39,060Grad Salary
68.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91%
Avg GPA
3.1
Avg SAT
974
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
850–1080
ACT Middle 50%
15–20
Avg Net Price
$20,191
Need-Based Aid
68.4% receive Pell
Jackson State University (MS) is a public, historically Black research university (HBCU) known for its commitment to academic excellence and social justice. Admissions prioritize high school performance in core subjects. They look for students who want to engage in a culturally rich environment and contribute to the university's history of civic impact.
Jackson State University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Jackson State University is inclusive by design: 91% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Jackson State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Jackson State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of March 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 217 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Jackson State University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Jackson State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Jackson State University is 3.1. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.80–3.1 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.30–3.50.Jackson State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional; tiered CPC admission formula combines GPA and ACT/SAT thresholds across several qualifying pathways, with a Year-Long Academic Support Program for students scoring below 16 on the ACT
- EdReady Math and English placement exams are still required for students who haven't completed their first required math/English course, despite test-optional admission overall
- Sonic Boom of the South marching band and the Prancing J-Settes danceline are nationally recognized, having performed at the Motown 30th anniversary and NAACP Image Awards
- Carnegie-classified R2 Doctoral University with $25.8M+ in annual research funding; first Mississippi university legislatively approved to establish a School of Public Health (2015); two consecutive Apple Distinguished School designations (only MS university to hold this)
- AACSB-accredited College of Business; offers a PhD in Urban Higher Education Leadership, one of only a handful of such programs nationally; admission remains provisional until final high school transcript is received and GPA re-verified
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Jackson State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Jackson State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Jackson State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Jackson State University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Jackson State University Without SAT or ACT?
Jackson State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Jackson State University Average SAT Score: 974
Admitted students at Jackson State University average a 974 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 974 — Accessible
A 974 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 20 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Jackson State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 850? A retake is worth it at Jackson State University — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 470 | 410 | 530 |
| SAT Reading | 495 | 440 | 550 |
| SAT Composite | 974 | 850 | 1080 |
A score under 850 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1080+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 950
Can I get into Jackson State University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Jackson State University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Jackson State University ACT Requirements
Jackson State University's admitted students average an ACT of 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
An average of 18 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 18 |
| ACT English | 18 | 14 | 21 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 15 | 20 |
Can I get into Jackson State University with a 20 ACT?
At 20, you're in the top quarter of Jackson State University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Jackson State University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Jackson State University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Jackson State University's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Use JSU's tiered CPC admission formula to place borderline applicants into the right pathway
Jackson State's freshman admission runs on a tiered College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) formula with several qualifying routes: a 3.20 CPC GPA alone is sufficient on its own; alternatively, a 2.50 CPC GPA (or top-50% class rank) paired with an ACT of 16+ (or SAT equivalent) qualifies; a lower 2.00 CPC GPA still qualifies if paired with an ACT of 18+; and NCAA Division I full-qualifiers or academic redshirts have their own standard. Students scoring below 16 on the ACT are specifically encouraged into JSU's Year-Long Academic Support Program during freshman year. Counselors should map a borderline student's actual GPA and test score against these specific tiers rather than giving a vague "JSU is pretty accessible" impression - the right combination of GPA and test score determines which of several real pathways applies.
Don't let "test-optional" create confusion about placement testing
JSU is test-optional for admission itself - ACT/SAT scores aren't required to be admitted - but any first-year or transfer student who hasn't already completed their required first math or English course must still complete the JSU EdReady Math and English placement exams and follow the resulting study path. Families should understand these are two separate systems: skipping the ACT/SAT doesn't mean skipping all testing, and a student who assumes "test-optional" means no testing whatsoever may be caught off guard by the EdReady placement requirement once enrolled.
Reference the Sonic Boom of the South directly for students interested in band, dance, or performance
JSU's marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South, is one of the most recognized HBCU bands nationally, having performed at events including the Motown 30th anniversary and the NAACP Image Awards; its accompanying danceline, the Prancing J-Settes, is known for a distinctive dance style that has itself become culturally influential. Students with a serious interest in marching band, dance, or HBCU band culture specifically should name the Sonic Boom by name in any conversation about extracurricular fit - this is one of the program's most nationally visible assets, not a generic "we have a good band" talking point.
STEM and public-health-track students should know about JSU's research classification and specific centers
JSU is classified as an R2 Doctoral University (high research activity) by the Carnegie Classification, generates over $25.8 million in research funding annually, and in 2015 became the first Mississippi university approved by the state legislature to establish a School of Public Health. It also holds two consecutive Apple Distinguished School designations - the only Mississippi university to do so - and operates specific named research centers including the Center for Health Disparities Research and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students interested in public health, health disparities research, or STEM innovation should reference these specific programs and centers directly, since they reflect real, fundable research infrastructure rather than general "research opportunities available" language.
Expert Insight:
JSU's $25 application fee is waivable for demonstrated financial need, and the university's admission process, while described as test-optional and broadly accessible, still requires meeting the specific CPC GPA/test-score tier combinations above - a student who submits an incomplete profile (missing final transcript, no EdReady placement completion) can find their admission held in provisional status even after an initial acceptance. JSU explicitly notes that admitted students remain "provisionally admitted" until a final high school transcript is received and the GPA is re-verified against the required minimum - families should treat the initial offer as conditional until that final transcript is confirmed, not as a done deal.
Jackson State University Profile
Full Name
Jackson State University
City
Jackson
State
Mississippi
ZIP Code
39217
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Jackson State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Jackson State University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $43,400, and graduates see a 5.33% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Jackson State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $28,611/year at Jackson State University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $20,191.
At Jackson State University, 68.4% receive a Pell Grant and 78% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Jackson State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Jackson State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Jackson State University graduates report a median income of $39,060, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Jackson State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
| Avila University | Kansas City, MO | 942 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Jackson State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Jackson State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Jackson State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Jackson State University Admissions
Jackson State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $39,060/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Jackson State University is relatively affordable, around $28,611/year.
68.4% of Jackson State University students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Jackson State University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Jackson State University's acceptance rate is 91%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Jackson State University students is 3.1, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.8 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Jackson State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.7 or below makes admission tougher at Jackson State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Jackson State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 974, and within the 850–1080 range, keeps you competitive.
Jackson State University's deadline is March 1. Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
Jackson State University charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026 — that's Jackson State University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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