Johnson C Smith University
- Graduation Rate
- 34% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,680 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,894 D+
- 22% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 45% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,213,215.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 34% — 40% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Johnson C Smith University Matters
Johnson C Smith University is a private liberal arts college in Charlotte, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,244
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Humanities, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Johnson C Smith University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 45% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,894 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,680 ten years after enrolling — 5% above the typical college, against $30,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.22 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 1,244 students and an acceptance rate of 45%, Johnson C. Smith University is a good fit for those looking for a close-knit community that values diversity and engagement. Students here often dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Humanities, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, and Computer Science & IT. These areas of study not only reflect current job market trends but also cater to a variety of interests and career paths, making it a versatile choice for students.
Looking at what happens after graduation, those who complete their degree can expect to earn about $42,680 within ten years. This figure is significant because it highlights the potential for financial stability after college. The affordability aspect is also worth noting, with a net price of $20,894. For many students, especially those receiving Pell Grants—69% of the student body—this can ease the burden of college expenses. While the graduation rate sits at 34%, the focus on community support can play a role in helping students navigate their educational journey.
On the practical side, students here tend to manage a median debt of $30,000, which is a manageable figure in relation to their potential earnings. Those who thrive at Johnson C. Smith University often find themselves motivated by the supportive environment and the sense of purpose that comes from being part of a historically Black institution. This setting encourages a strong sense of belonging, which can be crucial for personal and academic success.
Rankings
- #25 Best Communications Colleges in North Carolina
- #31 Best HBCUs for Computer Science
- #31 Best HBCUs for Data Science
- #31 Best HBCUs for Cybersecurity
- #31 Best HBCUs for Information Technology
- #39 Best HBCUs for Health Professions
- #39 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #39 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Johnson C Smith University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson C Smith University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Johnson C Smith University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,806
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.35
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 2,306
- Admitted
- 583
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Johnson C Smith University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Johnson C Smith University is $21,300, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,894. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,940 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $30,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $21,300
- Out-of-State
- $21,300
- Avg Net Price
- $20,894
- Median Debt
- $30,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 69%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 75%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,940
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,165
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $21,005
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,050
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Johnson C Smith University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Johnson C Smith University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Johnson C Smith University report median earnings of $42,680, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,478
- 8 Years
- $35,892
- 10 Years
- $42,680
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.7x
- Earning > $25K
- 42%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (75)
- 29%
- 100% (75)
- 29%
- 100% (75)
- 29%
- 100% (75)
- 29%
How Johnson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Johnson C Smith University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Johnson C Smith University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,894/year ($83,576 total). Graduates earn $42,680 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,296,791 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,213,215 (15.5× your investment). The median debt is $30,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,576
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,296,791
- Net Return
- $1,213,215
- ROI Multiple
- 15.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,894
- Median Debt
- $30,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $116,682
Top Programs
The fields Johnson C Smith University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24%
- Computer Science & IT 10%
- Humanities 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Psychology 8% $29,017 early-career
- Social Sciences 7%
- Communications 5%
- Health Professions 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Johnson C Smith University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson C Smith University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Johnson C Smith University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Johnson C Smith University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Johnson C Smith University is $21,300, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,894. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,940 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $30,000 in federal student loans.
Is Johnson C Smith University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Johnson C Smith University report median earnings of $42,680, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Johnson C Smith University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Johnson C Smith University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Johnson C Smith University.
- Huston-Tillotson UniversityAustin, TX · Close peer35% grad $42,937 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oakwood UniversityHuntsville, AL · Close peer47% grad $42,488 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- William Penn UniversityOskaloosa, IA · Close peer31% grad $48,936 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dillard UniversityNew Orleans, LA · Close peer44% grad $39,196 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Brevard CollegeBrevard, NC · Close peer44% grad $43,545 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville, OH · Close peer35% grad $39,813 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Johnson C Smith University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Johnson C Smith University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.22, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note