Jackson State University is being touted as one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in America, according to a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report.
JSU landed as the No. 15-best HBCU in the publication’s “Best Colleges” rankings for 2026. It marks the university’s strongest placement in the last nine years and places it the best out of Mississippi’s HBCUs. Alcorn State came in at No. 29, Tougaloo at No. 37, Rust College at No. 54, and Mississippi Valley State at No. 61.
Out of all colleges and universities, not just HBCUs, JSU tied at No. 65 in social mobility, a category that measures how well schools graduate Pell Grant recipients. Pell Grants are reserved for low-income students with many being first-generation students.
“This achievement reflects the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students,” JSU interim president Dr. Denise Jones Gregory said. “To be recognized as one of the top 15 HBCUs in the nation while also ranking among the strongest universities for social mobility shows that Jackson State is excelling in both academic quality and student success.
“This recognition affirms that JSU is setting Thee Standard in higher education and will continue advancing opportunity and excellence for the students and communities we serve.”
After holding steady at No. 21 in 2024 and 2025, the climb to No. 15 for JSU is the highest ranking it’s been given by U.S. News & World Report since being ranked No. 13 in 2016.
Preselfannie McDaniels, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the latest move into the top 15 is a reflection of JSU officials not only wanting to educate but also mentor students before they move into the professional world. She referenced the university’s Re-envisioning Orientation, Advising, and Retention (R.O.A.R.) program, which emphasizes student persistence, academic performance, and graduation as a key part of the university’s success. Through R.O.A.R., students have expanded access to academic coaching, tutoring, and mentoring resources to help guarantee a degree is received.
“Rankings are only one measure, but they tell a story about progress,” McDaniels said. “Our focus on advising, mentoring, and academic support is helping to strengthen student outcomes while positioning more students to complete their degrees. That is the real success behind these numbers.”
The 2026 Best Colleges methodology is calculated using key measures of academic quality with the publication’s formula based on data universally reported by schools or obtainable from third-party sources. The full rankings can be found here.
