Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Hillsboro, Missouri
Jefferson College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$12,965Annual Cost
$40,782Grad Salary
29.5%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,734
Need-Based Aid
29.5% receive Pell
Jefferson College, founded in 1963, is a public community college in Hillsboro, Missouri. It offers programs in equine studies, nursing, and advanced manufacturing. The campus features a equestrian center and a STEM innovation hub.
JeffCo is unranked but serves a rural-urban mix with strong transfer programs. Its location near St. Louis provides access to internships in healthcare and tech.
Jefferson College Acceptance Rate
Jefferson College (JeffCo) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
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 JeffCo
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Jefferson College's verified institutional data
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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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Jefferson College (JeffCo) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into JeffCo Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Jefferson College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for JeffCo
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
JeffCo provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Treat General Admission and Program Admission as Two Separate Races
Getting into Jefferson College itself is open and essentially automatic. Getting into its Nursing (Bi-Level LPN/RN) or Radiologic Technology programs is not - both are capped-enrollment, competitively point-ranked on top of general admission. Students who treat "I got in" as the finish line often haven't started the prerequisite coursework (A&P I, General Psychology, First-Year Experience) that actually determines their program ranking. Start prerequisites the first semester of general enrollment, not after deciding to "apply to nursing."
Time the TEAS Exam Around the Mandatory Cooling-Off Window
Nursing admission is ranked by the APR Committee using a rubric built on TEAS composite score (minimum 58.7%), prerequisite GPA (minimum 2.8), and course completion rate - and Jefferson College will not accept a TEAS score earned before a mandatory two-month waiting period between attempts has closed. A student who tests late and scores low has no time to retest before the application deadline. Schedule the first TEAS attempt at least one full semester ahead of the target application cycle so a retake is still possible within the required window.
Nail the RAD Tech Observation-Hours and Single-Email Rule
Radiologic Technology applicants must complete and document at least 4 hours of clinical observation (excluding CT, MRI, and ultrasound) on a specific observation form signed by a technologist, before applying. The entire application - every page, in order, including that form - must be sent as ONE combined email to radiologyapplications@jeffco.edu; split submissions or incomplete packets are not reviewed, and files aren't even opened until after the April deadline. Arrange the observation shift a full semester ahead of the deadline, and assemble the complete packet into a single PDF before sending.
Front-Load ID.me and Prerequisites Before the Narrow Deadlines Hit
General admission requires signing in and verifying identity through ID.me, and there's a strong local dual-credit pipeline feeding directly into these health programs. Students planning to target Nursing or RAD Tech should set up ID.me and complete general admission well before the narrow program-specific windows open, so document logistics and identity verification aren't competing with the April RAD Tech deadline or nursing prerequisite timing.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure pattern here isn't academic - it's a false sense of security. Because Jefferson College's general admission is open and rolling, students and families frequently assume the Nursing or Radiologic Technology program will admit them just as easily. Both are separately, competitively ranked with their own applications, deadlines, and GPA/exam thresholds, and students who wait until after general enrollment to start prerequisites or observation hours routinely lose an entire admission cycle waiting for the next one.
JeffCo Profile
Full Name
Jefferson College (JeffCo)
City
Hillsboro
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63050-2440
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a JeffCo Degree Worth It?
Getting into JeffCo can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. JeffCo offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at JeffCo is $60,900 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.36%.
How much does a degree from JeffCo Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Jefferson College is $12,965. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Jefferson College is $7,734.
29.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 8.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to JeffCo and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Jefferson College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist JeffCo as your choice in the form.
How much does a JeffCo Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $40,782. An average JeffCo graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at JeffCo
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Jefferson College →
Frequently Asked Questions About JeffCo Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $40,782 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $12,965 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
29.5% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.