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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.
Located in Charlotte, NC and set in an urban environment, Johnson C. Smith University is a private comprehensive higher education institution. 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%.
To find out more about what Johnson C. Smith University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
1,252
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$21,300
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
34%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. How difficult is it to get admitted to Johnson C. Smith University and what are the admission requirements?
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
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Johnson C. Smith University was 71%, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 34%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 1,302 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 46.17. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,252, 29 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 116.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 593 male and 662 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 7 full-time graduate male and 34 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of 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. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 2 Asian students and 1,002 Afro-American students in 2025. 6 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 3 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who declared 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.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Johnson C. Smith University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $21,300 in 2025. Johnson C. Smith University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 21,300 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,300 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Johnson C. Smith University, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 233 freshmen were awarded financial aid.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 1,097 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $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
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-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.
68 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 12 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $5,244,443 while the state aid is $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 represents 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. The faculty of this school consists of 157 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 50 men and 94 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Johnson C. Smith University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about students' life at Johnson C. Smith University.
Its campus spans 100 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 26 open-membership organizations at Johnson C. Smith University. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 7.85 percent of male and 8.37 of female students are involved in different organizations at Johnson C. Smith University. The most popular student organization is Student Government Association, followed by Golden Bulls Activity Committee and The Label. Other popular organizations at Johnson C. Smith University are Royale Model Troop and Love Your Curls.
Students who have a talent for music can join the Johnson C. Smith University band or chorus.
Student Services
At Johnson C. Smith University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a health 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 excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 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 overall full-time tuition per academic year for Johnson C. Smith University is 21,300 USD, based on the most recent data.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Johnson C. Smith University is 45%.
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The most recent reported 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.
