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JacksonTNPhoto: Garryharvey · Public domain
Colleges in and near Jackson

Jackson is home to three colleges, with 4,739 students on campus

Union University (2,124 students on campus) and Jackson State Community College (1,814) are inside the city. About 8% of Jackson’s residents are enrolled in college, above Tennessee (5%).

Union UniversityJackson State Community College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Jackson. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
4,739 students on campus
Nearest college
1.7 mi
Union University
Residents in college
8%
Above TN (5%)
Nearest community college
3.3 mi
Jackson State · $4,740 tuition
Nearest public university
47.1 mi
The University of Tennessee-Martin · $10,560 in-state
Median household income
$53K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Jackson

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 3.3 milesUnion University admits 60% of applicants. Together they have 3,938 students on campus.A community college 3.3 miles awayJackson State Community College in Jackson: tuition and fees $4,740 a year for Tennessee residents.In-state price at The University of Tennessee-MartinLiving in Tennessee, The University of Tennessee-Martin charges $10,560 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $16,600. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 8% of residentsAbove Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Jackson

Two private colleges within 2.8 miles, and Jackson State Community College 3.3 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, The University of Tennessee-Martin, is 47.1 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUnion UniversityJackson StateLane CollegeJackson
University or collegeCommunity college
Union UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,124 on campus · In Jackson60%admitted$27knet price66%graduate$54kearningsLane CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 801 on campus · In Jackson$11knet price18%graduate$32kearningsJackson State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,814 on campus · In Jackson$6knet price26%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $4,740 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Jackson’s median household income ($53,032) falls.

Jackson State Community CollegeIn Jackson · sticker $15,183 · tuition $4,740$7,485a year
The University of Tennessee-Martin47.1 mi · Martin · sticker $23,079$11,640a year
Union UniversityIn Jackson · sticker $58,363$23,891a year
Lane CollegeIn Jackson · sticker $23,441—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Union UniversityLane CollegeJackson StateThe University of Tennessee-Martin
The University of Tennessee-Martin53% graduate$44k earnings$21k typical debt
Union University66% graduate$54k earnings$21k typical debt
Jackson State Community College26% graduate$35k earnings
Lane College18% graduate$32k earnings$30k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Jackson

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Jackson’s 3 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 27%Health professions 26%Business 13%Computer science 3%Engineering tech 2%Public safety 2%Everything else 27%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesJackson State Community College · 303 graduates a year
$38k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUnion University · 115 graduates a year
$73k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingJackson State Community College · 73 graduates a year
$66k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUnion University · 36 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsJackson State Community College · 33 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesJackson State Community College · 28 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Social WorkUnion University · 25 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, GeneralJackson State Community College · 23 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Jackson

Is Jackson a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Jackson residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, Union University, has 2,124 students on campus.

What colleges are in Jackson?

Union University, Jackson State Community College and Lane College are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Jackson, and what does it cost?

Jackson State Community College in Jackson, 3.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,740 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $6,236, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does The University of Tennessee-Martin cost if we live in Tennessee?

Tuition and fees are $10,560 a year in-state and $16,600 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $7,151 (under $30,000 income) to $15,827 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Jackson. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →