Not the Florida city. Jacksonville State sits in the small Alabama town of Jacksonville, in the foothills of the Appalachians between Birmingham and Atlanta. It's a public regional university with low fees and well-known programmes in emergency management, nursing and computer science. The campus had to rebuild after a tornado in 2018, so several buildings are new.
Jacksonville, Alabama, United States
Official website: jsu.edu
Public university in Alabama
1883
NCAA Division I, Conference USA
$12,000 – $20,000
International students, undergraduate and master's
$9,000 – $12,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on jsu.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Systems and Software Design
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Emergency Management
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BSN Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
Emergency management programmes with a national reputation.
Low tuition for a US public university.
A small-town campus two hours from Atlanta.
Emergency management graduates join county, state and federal agencies.
Nursing graduates work in hospitals across Alabama and Georgia.
STEM master's graduates can apply for OPT and the STEM extension.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus is compact and walkable, with residence halls and a football stadium at its centre. The Chief Ladiga Trail runs through town for cycling.
Living costs are very low. Anniston is next door, Birmingham is about 75 miles away and Atlanta about two hours.
Form I-20 issued by Jacksonville State University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
JSU reviews international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by early summer for fall or by October for spring so the I-20 and visa interview can be arranged.
Most programmes start in fall and spring. Some graduate courses also start in summer.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Jacksonville State University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer systems and software design, emergency management, the MBA and nursing are popular. Graduate entry needs a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.0 or equivalent; nursing has its own application stage.
JSU offers some academic scholarships that international students can apply for. Check the scholarships page for current rules.
