JACKSONVILLE, AL — Jacksonville State University (Jax State) has been recognized by Forbes as the highest-ranked employer headquartered in Alabama on its 2025 list of America’s Best Employers by State.
The annual ranking, developed in partnership with market research company Statista, is based on evaluations from employees across the country who work for organizations with at least 500 employees. Respondents assessed their employers on factors including working conditions, diversity, compensation, development opportunities, and whether they would recommend their workplace to others.
Jax State ranked No. 7 overall among 45 employers in Alabama and was the top-ranked university in the state. Among Alabama-based employers, the university led the list ahead of Baptist Health (Montgomery), the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the Alabama Department of Public Health (Montgomery), and Books-A-Million (Birmingham).
In the higher education category, Jax State placed ahead of UAB (No. 12), the University of Alabama (No. 25), and Auburn University (No. 32).
“We strive every day to make Jacksonville State a great place to work, so to be recognized on a national stage is very special,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “Being named the top employer headquartered in Alabama is especially meaningful and reflects the culture we’ve built right here at home. This recognition affirms the progress we have made and motivates us to keep strengthening Jax State as a workplace of choice, knowing that when our people thrive, our students succeed.”
The recognition highlights the university’s ongoing efforts to create a positive work environment while advancing excellence in education, research, and community service.
The full Forbes list of America’s Best Employers by State 2025 is available on the magazine’s website. For those interested in career opportunities at Jacksonville State, current openings can be found at careers.jsu.edu.
