Jackson State University vs Alcorn State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jackson State University comes closer — median earnings $39,060 against a $95,344 total, vs $36,421 at Alcorn State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Jackson State University | Alcorn State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,836 | $13,265 |
| Total net cost | $95,344 | $53,060 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,060 | $36,421 |
| Median debt | $30,470 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$281,344 | -$291,840 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Jackson State University or Alcorn State University?
Alcorn State University, at $13,265 a year after aid versus $23,836 — a gap of $10,571 a year, or $42,284 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Jackson State University or Alcorn State University graduates earn more?
Jackson State University graduates report a median $39,060 ten years after entry, $2,639 more than the $36,421 at Alcorn State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Jackson State University or Alcorn State University?
Alcorn State University: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $30,470 at Jackson State University, a difference of $3,470. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Alcorn State University, against 51% at Jackson State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.