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I feel like JSU is a good college for certain majors, especially teaching and nursing. Overall it's a pretty middle of the road school. I feel like a got a good education in my major but I would say I didn't feel adequately prepared for what it's like to actually have a job in my field. Hopefully now there's more of an emphasis on internships or work experience possibilities before graduating, as well as what it's actually like to have a 9-5 desk job. The school environment doesn't translate well... Read More to real life office work.

Please DO NOT go to JSU if you are an older returning student, online or in Person. I returned after 36 years and found the same rules do not apply to ALL returning students. In the recent years, changes to policies help those who are returning from a more recent departure date, but the rules were not designed to include ALL returning students with older departure dates. The advisor I received was not equipped to advise/help a returning older student to meet the goals of an adult already in the workforce.... Read More I did not feel that he was working with me, as an individual, to reach the goals in my time frame, but had a set plan for everyone and wanted/encouraged me to follow it. Not all students are the same, and as an advisor, one should listen to the student and try to help each student reach their goals according to their abilities. Also, You pay MORE for JSU’s online program but you actually receive far less than most colleges. At the college I attended before returning to JSU, the Professors place videos in canvas and online, actually teaching the material that is shared in person in the classroom. At JSU, you sign into canvas and you basically teach yourself. You will follow the assignment dates and take the test, and pray you understood the material correctly. I will give major credit to my psychology professor, who did place videos online with links in canvas. My advice for Returning students: Go to a junior college, like Jefferson State, and take as much as you can, then go to UAB, Auburn @ Montgomery, or even Auburn or Alabama. The cost of tuition is way LESS at the 1st two, and about the same at the last two and I believe you will get more for your money. Also, before you take ANYTHING at a junior college, contact the college you are transferring to and get it in writing, video/record, that the classes you are about to take will transfer. So many students waste their money and time believing the classes will transfer, then they don’t, I am writing from experience.

Jacksonville State University was a great experience for me! The campus was safe and inviting. The professors were always on my side, pushing me to be the absolute best professional I could be. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Science in Family and Consumer Science with a concentration in Merchandising. My professors provided every avenue of knowlege and experience for me to be sucessful in my field. To this day, I still feel confortable asking my previous advisors for opinions, assistance,... Read More and additional knowledge catered to what I need. They paved they way for me to be where I am today, and I am especially thankful for that. I was also able to meet a ton of inspiring colleagues that I follow to this day. Now we are all excelling professionals of our fiels, and I thank JSU for the pportunity to be connected to so many great people.

Personally, I was not entirely too impressed with the University during my first 2 years of school. It seemed like that basic classes I took when I was a freshman and a sophomore were not exactly very interesting and did not keep students engaged. Moreover, the professors teaching those classes were not the best and did not have the best credentials. Nevertheless, my last 2 years of school and classes take when I was a Junior and Senior were extremely wonderful. I was extremely impressed with all... Read More of the business classes. Finance classes were absolutely memorable. The teaching mythologies were extremely unique and kept students very engaged and eager to learn the new material. Moreover, the assigned projects gave all of the students an idea of the real-life problems and prepared them for careers in the real world. Jacksonville State is a relatively small school with a really small campus. Hence, it is really convenient for students to move from one class to another since all of the buildings are withing the walking distance from each other. Moreover, the location of the city makes the university very appealing. It is a small school far away from other major cities and tourists. Hence, students don't have too many distractions and can fully focus on staying in school and studying. At the same time, Birmingham and Atlanta are just hours away and are within driving distance. Tuition is another factor which makes the University desirable for other students. The tuition rates are drastically lower compared to other schools in the area. For all these reasons, I will highly recommend Jacksonville State University to other students.

Jacksonville State is a decent small college with a large university price tag. I encountered a few great faculty members who truly care about their students' education. Though, if you're looking for a serious academic school, I would look elsewhere. The university has spent millions of dollars in the past few years on a new football stadium, big screen tv's, and soon a new recreation center while academic buildings are in shambles. Its atrocious disregard for the central purpose of a university,... Read More education, is appalling. If you're just looking to have fun in a small town for a few years, and don't mind the crumbling infrastucture, you might enjoy Jacksonville.

The student-to-professor ratio is fairly low on campus. This allows plenty of opportunities for students to get to know their professors on an individual basis. The professors are more than willing to help students during their time as a student and after graduation. For example, I myself have found that professors are more than willing to help me as a transition from an undergraduate to a graduate student. Not only that, but they are genuinely interest in my success as a student. The campus is know... Read More for its friendly southern atmosphere. To my knowledge, the tuition rates are decent (both in-state and out-of-state) in comparison to other colleges of roughly the same size. There are several scholarship opportunities available and can be applied for online. If living on campus is an issue for those in other state, the University offers distance education where a degree can be earned by taken all courses and required testing online. The campus also includes a very enthusiastic international program that accepts students from other countries who would like to study here in America (the program also offers residency at the International House on campus). Campus staff are generally willing to help students in any way possible, even if it is simply putting them in touch with the right people. My time there was great and would definitely recommend the college to other students who are seeking higher education.