Jacksonville University

JU’s 50+ majors skew practical, with nursing, aviation (including commercial pilot training), and business dominating enrollment. The curriculum emphasizes 'engaged learning'—students might log flight hours at nearby Cecil Airport or complete clinical rotations at Baptist Health. Though professional programs take center stage, JU requires a liberal arts core, including courses in ethics and global studies. Small classes are the norm, with no mention of graduate teaching assistants leading courses. The catalog touts undergraduate research opportunities, particularly in marine science (leveraging its riverfront location).

Life at JU orbits around the river—literally. The campus docks host kayak rentals, and the annual River Fest draws students for live music and watersports. About half the student body lives on campus, with housing options ranging from traditional dorms to apartment-style suites. Greek life claims 15% of undergraduates, while Division I athletics (especially lacrosse and rowing) rally school spirit. Over 100 clubs include niche groups like the 'EcoDolphins' sustainability crew and a student-run investment fund. Friday nights often mean 'Dolphin Den' events—think trivia battles or DIY sushi rolls—at the student center.

Six years post-graduation, JU alumni earn a median salary of $36,427—below the national average for bachelor’s holders. The four-year graduation rate sits at just 41%, though 57% eventually finish within six years. Nursing graduates fare best, with many landing jobs at nearby Mayo Clinic or Baptist Health. Aviation alumni often pipeline into regional airlines, while business majors cluster in Jacksonville’s banking sector. About 22% of graduates carry $22K in median debt, less than many private schools but still a burden for those entering lower-paying fields like education.

JU’s sticker price hits $68,366 annually (including room/board), but 67% of students receive aid, slashing the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $25,745. Merit scholarships—often $15K–$20K per year—flow liberally to students with GPAs above 3.5. The university promotes an 'Undergraduate Affordability Initiative' that caps net tuition at $48,880 for families earning under $150K, though fine print notes this excludes books and travel. Work-study jobs are plentiful, especially at the campus’s flight operations center or riverfront research labs.

Few schools fuse aviation training with NCAA lacrosse and kayak commutes like JU does. Its riverfront campus—where biology classes might test water samples from the dock—caters to hands-on learners who want professional skills without sacrificing Friday night football games. The aviation program’s fleet of Cessnas and Piper Cubs is unmatched in Florida outside of Embry-Riddle, while nursing students benefit from Jacksonville’s sprawling healthcare industry. Though graduation rates lag, JU rewards scrappy students who leverage its industry ties—like Boeing recruiters at career fairs or alumni-owned startups hiring business majors.