Johnson C Smith University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 40%; median debt is moderately high. 69% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Johnson C Smith University is a private nonprofit institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina with approximately 1,244 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 45% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $20,894 per year. The graduation rate is 34%, and the typical graduate earns $31,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) is a private historically black university in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
The numbers tell a mixed story here — the HBCU community, Charlotte location, and manageable net price of ~$20K/year are genuine draws, but a 34% graduation rate and 63% freshman retention rate suggest many students struggle to finish, which is a serious concern worth investigating before enrolling. Median earnings of $31,400 a decade out are modest, though debt at graduation (~$20,500) is at least relatively contained. Worth a visit and honest conversations with current students if you're drawn to a small, tight-knit HBCU experience — but come in with a clear plan for staying on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 0% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 37 | $51,371 | $68,257 | −$16,886 |
| Biology, General | 24 | $42,595 | $57,214 | −$14,619 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 20 | $44,678 | $54,562 | −$9,884 |
| Criminology | 17 | $46,215 | $55,556 | −$9,341 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16 | $38,941 | $53,072 | −$14,131 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 12 | $40,600 | $56,359 | −$15,759 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,244 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Johnson C Smith University
100 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216-5398
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Johnson C Smith University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University has an acceptance rate of 45%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Johnson C Smith University hard to get into?
Johnson C Smith University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 45%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Johnson C Smith University cost?
The average net price at Johnson C Smith University is about $20,894 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University has a graduation rate of 34%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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