Situated in Jackson, MS, Jackson State University is a medium-sized university in a city setting. It is a public school with generally four-year programs and of the students who apply, accepts a very small number.

From the school's mission statement:

MISSION A Historically Black Carnegie Doctoral/ [Research Universities (High Research Activity)] public institution of higher learning located in the metropolitan area of Jackson, Mississippi. The College of Lifelong Learning also offers credit and non-credit courses at several Community Colleges primarily in central Mississippi. Values Based Learning Community The University's core values are infused in every aspect of its existence: tradition: its history inspires and exemplifies positive societal change; accountability, the principled exercise of leadership and the belief in the sanctity of the public trust; learning, an environment where teaching , research and service are integrated and mutually reinforcing; nurturing, a community which affirms and welcomes persons from diverse backgrounds and experiences and supports the realization of their human potential; service, responding to the needs of society and expecting our graduates to do likewise; responsibility, accepting our duty to enhance each generation's capacity to improve the human condition.

For those attending, Jackson State University has:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Marketing Management, General
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, General
• Master's degree and Doctor's degree in Public Administration
• Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree and Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, General
• Bachelor's degree in Health/Health Care Administration/Management
• Master's degree in Engineering, General
• Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies
• Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and Doctor's degree in Business Administration and Management, General
• Bachelor's degree in Business/Managerial Economics
• Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Accounting
• Doctor's degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration