(JACKSON, Miss.) — Jackson State University (JSU) has been ranked No. 6 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for online programs, according to Forbes Advisor’s 2025 national rankings.
The Forbes Advisor rankings evaluated HBCUs based on affordability, student outcomes, academic credibility and overall online student experiences, using data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Jackson State’s online program, JSUOnline, was listed due to its 92% of students enrolled in distance learning, the highest percentage among all top 10 schools, and a high Pell Grant graduation rate compared to the overall graduation rate.
“It shows that our hard work is being recognized,” said Tershuna Bass, the executive director of JSUOnline, who emphasized the importance of creating a supportive and flexible learning experience to help students achieve their academic goals.
JSUOnline is designed to meet students where they are whether they are nontraditional students juggling work, family, or other commitments, or recent high school graduates starting their college journey.
“Our goal is to provide accessible, quality education that fits everyone’s lifestyle no matter where they are in their academic journey. We help students succeed, no matter their background or circumstances,” Bass said.
Atanza McFadden, a first-generation college student from Bolton, Mississippi, earned her bachelor’s degree in university studies from Jackson State in May 2025. Her achievement came more than 20 years after she first enrolled at the university in 2002.
She paused her studies when she became pregnant with her first child, returned to college in 2011 at a community college and reenrolled at JSU in 2012. McFadden ultimately credits JSUOnline for helping her balance coursework and daily responsibilities.
“I was at a time in my life when I couldn’t figure out how to parent and also be in school,” said McFadden, who re-enrolled in 2024. “This time, I was aligned with the right advisors and I was able to show my kids that no matter what happens in life, you can always get back on track.”
Several JSUOnline programs are just eight weeks long. The accelerated courses allow students to fit classes into their busy schedules without committing to a full semester.
Terry Williams, an industrial technology major, has found a way to fully utilize the convenience of JSUOnline. While balancing his roles as a husband, father and full-time employee, he has earned recognition as a Dean’s List scholar and member of the Epsilon Pi Tau National Honors Society of Technology.
“Coupled with strong support and quality instruction, JSUOnline offers an accessible and convenient way to pursue an education on your terms and achieve your academic goals in a shorter time,” Bass said.
Williams first enrolled at JSU in 2009 after joining the US Army the previous year. His studies were interrupted when he deployed to Iraq in 2011, and later by full-time employment at Nissan in Canton.
“After my deployment, I became a full-time employee at the company’s Canton plant in 2013, which directed my focus away from my education, but I always intended to return to JSU,” said Williams. “During the 2023 football season, I visited the JSU website to purchase a game ticket and noticed the banner for JSUOnline. It felt like the perfect opportunity to finally finish my education.”
JSUOnline continues to expand opportunities for learners by offering fully online undergraduate and graduate programs that combine flexibility with academic excellence.