Jackson State University has risen to No. 15 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, marking the university’s highest placement in nine years. The ranking positions JSU just two spots below its all-time high of No. 13, achieved in 2016.

In addition, JSU is tied at No. 65 in Social Mobility among national universities, a measure of how effectively schools graduate Pell Grant recipients. The recognition highlights the university’s ongoing commitment to providing opportunities and support for low-income and first-generation students.

The climb from No. 21 in 2024 and 2025 to No. 15 reflects progress in areas such as student retention and graduation outcomes, faculty resources, student selectivity, and Pell Grant student success. This move into the top 15 underscores JSU’s growing national momentum and reinforces its position as Mississippi’s leading public HBCU.

Key initiatives, including the R.O.A.R. (Re-envisioning Orientation, Advising and Retention) Quality Enhancement Plan, have been instrumental in strengthening student outcomes. The program expands access to academic coaching, tutoring, and mentoring, helping students stay on track and complete their degrees.

As Mississippi’s only urban research university and a top-15 HBCU nationally, Jackson State continues to advance in highly competitive categories. Its dual recognition in the HBCU rankings and social mobility metrics reflects both the university’s national standing and its mission to deliver academic excellence and opportunity for students across the state.