This month I participated in a Counselor Fly-In at Jacksonville University and left knowing I’d found a hidden gem! Jacksonville University (JU) is a vibrant and dynamic institution located in Jacksonville, Florida, known for its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. JU cares so much about the student experience that each student is given the University President’s cell phone number and permission to call with any issues!

President Cost believes that creating a strong and inclusive culture is the key to a successful university. He’s focused on building community and corporate partnerships to strengthen academic programs and increase student’s access to internships and other experiential learning opportunities. He tears down walls between colleges to encourage interdisciplinary study and exploration. His team also focused on residential life and improved on-campus dining, dorms, and pool and recreation areas.

Undergraduate Colleges and Schools:

1. College of Arts and Sciences: The cornerstone of JU's academic offerings, the College of Arts and Sciences provides a strong foundation in the liberal arts. Students engage in interdisciplinary learning, fostering critical thinking and creativity. The most popular majors include Psychology, Biology, and Marine Sciences. We joined the Marine Science’s mobile classroom for a trip from our hotel down the St. John’s River to JU and what a treat that proved! JU's commitment to environmental stewardship is evident in the Marine Science Research Institute. The institute focuses on marine research, conservation, and education, providing students with hands-on experiences in a coastal environment.
2. Davis College of Business & Technology: JU's Davis College includes the schools of business, engineering & technology as well as aviation & military sciences. Throughout the college the emphasis lies on experiential learning, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. Most popular programs include Business Analytics, FinTech, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Engineering, as well as Aviation & Aviation Management.
3. Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities: The College of Fine Arts at JU nurtures creativity and artistic expression. During our visit we were treated to a River Tones performance and a chance to watch students dance in a choreography class. We were struck with the talent and near-conservatory level of the arts. Portfolio submission is highly recommended for admission into the visual arts and auditions are required for the performing arts. They are starting a new program next year in Music Therapy. We asked about typical career paths and were told that a few go on to LA or Broadway tours each year while the vast majority stay in Florida and join Disney or perform on cruise ships.
4. Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences: This college is at the forefront of healthcare education, offering programs in nursing, health informatics, and other health-related fields. The nursing program offers 50 freshman a direct admit pathway where they then complete core requirements before beginning the 28-month nursing program. If students are not accepted direct admit, they may enter the Health Sciences major and apply after completing the core nursing requirements. In the last three years the pass rate for the NCLEX averaged 96.8 and last year 100% of their students passed in their first sitting!
5. Cost Honors College: In the fall of 2024, Cost Honors College will officially open to 450 honors students who represent the best and brightest of each of the four classes. They are using a Living Learning Community model, the first of such housing at JU. Residents will take some classes there, dine at their own in-house restaurant, and enjoy a free game room and laundry facility. The dorm sits on the north side of the campus, but honors students also have access to a 440 sq. foot Honors Lounge in the heart of campus.

Students are strongly encouraged and supported in creating their own “Pathway of Distinction” by pursuing cross-disciplinary majors, minors, and certificates with ultimate career paths as their goals.

Jacksonville University offers admissions on a rolling basis and strongly considers “demonstrated interest” as a factor in their admission decision. They track applicant’s visits both in-person and virtually, and award $1000 grants for each visit. Every accepted student receives a merit scholarship ranging from $14k-$36k with the highest awarded to those students selected for the Honors College. $65,780 is the full cost of attendance but students may stack merit and grant awards. The University has a Test Optional Policy with the exception of Nursing, and the Honors College. Testing is encouraged for Engineering and Aviation. With the recent addition of a Law School and the forthcoming Medical School, JU is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of legal and healthcare professionals in the region and beyond. The university's commitment to holistic education, experiential learning, and community impact continues to make it a standout institution in the academic landscape.