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Charlotte , NC
Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) is a private historically Black university located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1867, JCSU has a long-standing reputation for providing a high-quality education to its students. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, social sciences, education, health sciences, and STEM disciplines. JCSU takes pride in its commitment to preparing students for leadership roles in their chosen careers through a combination of rigorous academic programs, experiential learning opportunities, and a strong focus on community engagement.
One of the distinguishing features of Johnson C. Smith University is its commitment to experiential learning and community service. Through its Center for Career and Professional Development, students have access to internships, cooperative education programs, and real-world experiences that help bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application. Additionally, JCSU has a deep-rooted tradition of community service, with students actively engaging with local organizations and community initiatives to address social issues and make sustainable changes.
JCSU provides a supportive and nurturing environment for its students, offering numerous resources to help them succeed. The university's faculty are highly qualified and dedicated to teaching, research, and mentorship. Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio allow for personalized attention and close relationships with professors. Moreover, JCSU offers a range of academic support services, including tutoring, writing centers, and academic advisement, to ensure that students receive the assistance they need throughout their educational journey.
Overall, Johnson C. Smith University is a premier institution known for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and dedication to developing well-rounded individuals. By combining the knowledge gained in the classroom with real-world experiences and a strong emphasis on community service, JCSU prepares its students to become leaders and change agents in their chosen fields, helping them succeed both professionally and personally.
Johnson C. Smith University is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Charlotte, NC and set in an urban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 45%. The freshman retention rate at Johnson C. Smith University is 71% and the six-year graduation rate is 34%.
Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Johnson C. Smith University.
Quick Facts
1,252
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
34%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Learn some vital data about admission policy and requirements at Johnson C. Smith University.
In 2025, the school accepted 3,083 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is relatively easy to get into.
Test Scores
9% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 400 and 599. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 2.88.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Johnson C. Smith University was 71%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 34%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect match for you. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 1,302 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 46.17. There was a total of 1,252 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 29 international students. The school reported to have a total of 116 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 593 male and 662 female full-time students in 2025. There were 7 full-time graduate male and 34 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Johnson C. Smith University.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 2, and the number of Afro-American students was 1,002. 6 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 3 as multirace. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 185 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Johnson C. Smith University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 233 freshmen.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,097 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $5,244,443, and state $3,046,180. The students of Johnson C. Smith University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,345,839, and external in the amount of $2,673,297.
$9,356
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 68 students overall (including freshmen) at Johnson C. Smith University in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 12 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $5,244,443 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $7,659. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $430,763. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $297,928 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Johnson C. Smith University was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 157 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 50 men and 94 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Johnson C. Smith University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Johnson C. Smith University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about campus life at Johnson C. Smith University.
Its campus spans 100 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
According to the most recent information, there are 26 open-membership organizations at Johnson C. Smith University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 7.85 percent of male and 8.37 of female students are participants in different organizations at Johnson C. Smith University. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Student Government Association, followed by Golden Bulls Activity Committee and The Label. Other popular student organizations at this school are Royale Model Troop and Love Your Curls.
Students who like music can join the Johnson C. Smith University band or chorus.
Student Services
Johnson C. Smith University has a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Johnson C. Smith University.
All in all, campus life at Johnson C. Smith University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Johnson C. Smith University.
Career Counselling
At Johnson C. Smith University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 58 USD.
$58
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Johnson C. Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Johnson C. Smith University is 45%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Johnson C. Smith University is 71%.
Contact Information
Johnson C. Smith University
100 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte , NC
28216-5398
704 378-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.