Jackson State University vs. TSU

Deciding between Jackson State University and Texas Southern University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Jackson State University
Texas Southern University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Jackson State University Jackson, MS
  • TSU Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Jackson State University Midsize City
  • TSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Jackson State University 6,326
  • TSU 8,704
  • Type
  • Jackson State University Public 4 Year
  • TSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Jackson State University #998
  • TSU #1020
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Jackson State University -
  • TSU -
  • Status
  • Jackson State University Non-profit
  • TSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Jackson State University
  • TSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Jackson State University $8,965
  • TSU $9,173
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Jackson State University $11,965
  • TSU $21,473
  • Room & Board
  • Jackson State University $14,341
  • TSU $12,800
  • Average Net Price
  • Jackson State University $23,450
  • TSU $13,584
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University $8,386
  • TSU $9,823
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University 89%
  • TSU 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Jackson State University 15,487
  • TSU 9,391
  • Admitted
  • Jackson State University 14,426
  • TSU 9,101
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Jackson State University 93.1%
  • TSU 96.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Jackson State University 6.6%
  • TSU 17.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Jackson State University 950
  • TSU 900
  • Typical ACT score
  • Jackson State University 17
  • TSU 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • Jackson State University 3.1
  • TSU 3.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Jackson State University B
  • TSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Jackson State University Extremely Easy
  • TSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Jackson State University
  • TSU
  • ACT Range
  • Jackson State University 15/20
  • TSU 15/19
  • SAT Range
  • Jackson State University 820/1070
  • TSU 800/1000
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Jackson State University Test optional
  • TSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • TSU Jul 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Jackson State University 14:1
  • TSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Jackson State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • TSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Jackson State University 40%
  • TSU 12%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Jackson State University $32,800
  • TSU $36,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Jackson State University 36%
  • TSU 22%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Jackson State University $29,000
  • TSU $29,358
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Jackson State University $299
  • TSU $303
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Jackson State University 34%
  • TSU 35%
  • % Women
  • Jackson State University 66%
  • TSU 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Jackson State University Extremely Low
  • TSU Low
  • HBCU
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • % White
  • Jackson State University 4%
  • TSU 2%
  • % Asian
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • TSU 2%
  • % Black
  • Jackson State University 92%
  • TSU 80%
  • % Hispanic
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • TSU 6%
  • % Native American
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • TSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • TSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Jackson State University 1%
  • TSU 0%
  • % International
  • Jackson State University 2%
  • TSU 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • TSU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Jackson State University 26%
  • TSU 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Jackson State University 72%
  • TSU 20%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Jackson State University No
  • TSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Jackson State University No
  • TSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • TSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Jackson State University in Jackson, MS with Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Southern University is larger than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 6,326 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Jackson State University is located in Jackson, MS (Midsize City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Jackson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Jackson State University 14:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

Jackson State University vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or TSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Texas Southern University than Jackson State University ($13,584 vs. $23,450).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 10.7% lower than at Jackson State University ($12,800 vs. $14,341).
  • Texas Southern University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jackson State University (about $208 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $8,965.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 79.5% higher at TSU than at Jackson State University (about $9,508 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $11,965.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Jackson State University (95% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($9,823 vs. $8,386).

Jackson State University vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson State University or TSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TSU and Jackson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Jackson State University (950) is 50 points higher than at TSU (900).
  • Incoming Jackson State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at TSU (17).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 820/1070; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 15/20; Texas Southern University 15/19.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson State University - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Jackson State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at TSU (3.0).
  • TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Jackson State University (93.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at Jackson State University vs. 17.9% at TSU.

Jackson State University vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson State University and TSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Jackson State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
  • Graduates from Texas Southern University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Jackson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $32,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Jackson State University graduates have a $358 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($29,000 vs. $29,358).
  • Among borrowers, Jackson State University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($299 vs. $303).
  • More Jackson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 22%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.