Jacksonville State University Recognized Among Top Alabama Institutions in The Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.

by Josh Underwood

JACKSONVILLE (09/19/2024) — Jacksonville State University (Jax State) is proud to announce its inclusion as one of just eight Alabama colleges featured in The Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings. The university ranks No. 7 among all Alabama institutions and No. 5 among public universities in the state, underscoring its commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Jax State's most notable achievements come in the Student Experience and Social Mobility categories, emphasizing its commitment to providing its students with an enriching and supportive environment.

"We are incredibly honored to be recognized among the best colleges in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal," said Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr., President of Jax State. "These achievements across multiple categories validate the hard work and dedication of our entire community-faculty, staff, and students-who make Jax State a place where students can grow, succeed, and achieve their goals. This recognition reflects our ongoing mission to deliver top-quality education that equips our graduates to excel in their careers and beyond."

In the Student Experience category, Jax State ranks No. 2 among Alabama institutions and 112th nationally. This ranking reflects the university's dedication to creating an inclusive, engaging campus environment that offers top-tier facilities, a strong sense of community, and a commitment to diversity. Jax State's efforts to provide students with an enriching college experience are a cornerstone of its mission.

In the Social Mobility sub-ranking, which measures a university's impact on improving the upward mobility of lower-income students while maintaining high graduation rates and a positive salary impact, Jax State ranks No. 3 among Alabama colleges and 206th nationally. This recognition highlights Jax State's commitment to offering affordable, high-quality education that creates meaningful opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

The university also earned high marks in other categories, including Best Value (No. 6 in Alabama, 452nd nationally) and Salaries (No. 7 in Alabama, 456th nationally), reflecting Jax State's value in helping students achieve career success.

About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1 or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.

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Angle Hall Aerial

An Aerial photo of Jacksonville State University's Angle Hall

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University Recognized Among Top Alabama Institutions in The Wall Street Journal's 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.

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Jacksonville State University

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