Johnson C Smith University

Charlotte, NC · Private · Large city · JCSU

Private institution in Charlotte, NC · 1,047 undergraduates · 43% acceptance rate · $42,680 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Top 6%Pell Grant share
Top 12%Acceptance rate

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price: $20,0111,073rd cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees: $20,4801,138th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $20,480888th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance: $34,2281,077th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt: $30,0001,821st lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry: $42,6801,485th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry: $31,4781,708th highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year): 34.1%1,672nd highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention: 62.5%1,534th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 42.9%200th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT: —
Median ACT: —

Campus

Undergraduates: 1,0471,345th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio: 11.0:1619th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share: 67.8%139th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 5 mi (CLT)

On 1 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Most Selective Colleges in North Carolina#9

Applying

Common App member: Yes
Application fee: $25
Personal essay: Optional / not required
Writing supplement: No

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 24 reported programs.

Field	Level	1 yr	2 yr
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer Science	bachelors	$38,289	$39,741
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness	bachelors	$32,284	$30,277
CriminologySocial Sciences	bachelors	$30,771	$24,035
Health and Physical Education/FitnessParks, Recreation & Fitness	bachelors	$26,121	$22,192
Social WorkPublic Administration	bachelors	$25,774	$26,933
Biology, GeneralBiological Sciences	bachelors	$23,693	$21,964
Communication and Media StudiesCommunications	bachelors	$15,288	$18,315
ChemistryPhysical Sciences	bachelors	—	—
Computer EngineeringEngineering	bachelors	—	—
DanceVisual & Performing Arts	bachelors	—	—
EconomicsSocial Sciences	bachelors	—	—
English Language and Literature, GeneralEnglish Language & Literature	bachelors	—	—

Campus facts

A Historically Black College or University (HBCU)source
Founded in 1867source
Athletic nickname: "Golden Bulls"source
Irwin Belk Complex seats about 4,500source
Competes in NCAA Division IIsource
School colors: Goldsource
Mascot: The Golden Bullsource
Motto: "Sit Lux"source
Formerly known as "Biddle Memorial Institute"source
Formerly known as "(1867–1876)"source
Formerly known as "Biddle University"source
Formerly known as "(1876–1923)"source
Religious affiliation: Presbyterian Church (USA)source
Athletic conference: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Associationsource
Notable alum: Mary McLeod Bethunesource

Athletics — 10 sports + curated flag football

NCAA Division II with football · NCAA Division II

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $2,089,564 (M $1,428,061 · W $661,503)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport. Women’s flag football is curated (not yet a stable EADA sport filter).