About
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).
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Applied
6,820
6,820 candidates competed
Admitted
3,083
45.2% acceptance rate
Enrolled
396
12.8% yield
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Overall completion
34%-19.5pp vs Baccalaureate
Overall completion
34%-19.5pp vs Baccalaureate
4-year graduation
22%
4-year graduation
22%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
34%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
34%
Full-time retention
71%
Full-time retention
71%
Pell equity
18.1pp gap
Pell recipients
31%90 of 288
Non-Pell (all)
49%29 of 59
Subsidized loan, no Pell
51%20 of 39
No Federal Aid
45%9 of 20
Non-Pell students graduate at a 18.1-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 31 Title IV programs, 7 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 24 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Total programs
31
Passing
7
22.6% of portfolio
Failing (GE)
0
0.0% of portfolio
Fail rate
0.0%
-0.6pp vs 0.6% national
Pass / fail distribution
31programs
- Passing7 · 22.6%
- No Data24 · 77.4%
- Failing0 · 0.0%
Severity spectrum
Critical
0
Severe
0
Recoverable
0
At Risk
0
Watch
1
Safe
6
No data
24
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Program
Typical
Benchmark
EP gap
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$38,941
$32,203
Same-State HS Median
+20.9%
+$6,738
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
+20.9%
$38,941 vs $32,203
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
$40,600
$32,203
Same-State HS Median
+26.1%
+$8,397
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
+26.1%
$40,600 vs $32,203
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
$42,595
$32,203
Same-State HS Median
+32.3%
+$10,392
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
+32.3%
$42,595 vs $32,203
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$61,497
$44,547
National Same-Field BA Median
+38.0%
+$16,950
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
+38.0%
$61,497 vs $44,547
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
$44,678
$32,203
Same-State HS Median
+38.7%
+$12,475
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
+38.7%
$44,678 vs $32,203
Criminology
Bachelor Degree · Social Sciences
$46,215
$32,203
Same-State HS Median
+43.5%
+$14,012
Criminology
Bachelor Degree · Social Sciences
+43.5%
$46,215 vs $32,203
Business Administration Management and Operations
Bachelor Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$51,371
$32,203
Same-State HS Median
+59.5%
+$19,168
Business Administration Management and Operations
Bachelor Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
+59.5%
$51,371 vs $32,203
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Program
Median debt
Median earnings
Debt burden
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$31,000
$38,941
80%
Liberal Arts and Sciences General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor Degree · Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
$31,000 debt · $38,941 earn
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
$31,000
$40,600
76%
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
$31,000 debt · $40,600 earn
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
$30,000
$42,595
70%
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
$30,000 debt · $42,595 earn
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
$31,000
$44,678
69%
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
$31,000 debt · $44,678 earn
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$41,000
$61,497
67%
Social Work
Master's Degree · Public Administration And Social Service Professions
$41,000 debt · $61,497 earn
Criminology
Bachelor Degree · Social Sciences
$30,500
$46,215
66%
Criminology
Bachelor Degree · Social Sciences
$30,500 debt · $46,215 earn
Business Administration Management and Operations
Bachelor Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$31,500
$51,371
61%
Business Administration Management and Operations
Bachelor Degree · Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
$31,500 debt · $51,371 earn
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
AccreditedInstitutional accreditor
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Accredited since 1933Next review Jun 2026
Programmatic accreditations · 1
Action history · 13
- Sep 2025Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: Show CauseSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Jun 2025Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: Show CauseSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Jun 2025Heightened Monitoring or Focused ReviewSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Jun 2025Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: Show CauseSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Jul 2024Heightened Monitoring or Focused ReviewSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Aid exceeds costFamily pays
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Avg net price (private)
$20,894
+$223vs Baccalaureate median $20,672
Federal loans
74.6%
In-state tuition
$21,300
Out-of-state
$21,300
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 1,038 students received $6.2M in Pell grants, alongside $12.5M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients
1,038
AY 2024–25
Pell disbursed
$6.2M
$6,159,327 total
Direct Loans
$12.5M
2,247 loan awards
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
1k’20
1k’21
1k’22
1k’23
1k’24
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Subsidized$3.7M
960 loan awards
Unsubsidized · UG$3.6M
955 loan awards
Unsubsidized · Grad$984K
48 loan awards
Parent PLUS$4.0M
270 loan awards
Grad PLUS$232K
14 loan awards
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 530 borrowers who entered repayment, 49 (9.2%) defaulted within three years — above the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate
9.2%
+6.9pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
530
Defaulted
49
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard
Default rate vs national, by cohort
2016
22.3%+13.0
2017
21.3%+12.1
2018
14.7%+7.7
2019
9.2%+6.9
2020*
0.0%
This institutionNational rate
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at Johnson C Smith
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Distinct CIP programs18
UndergraduateOffered
GraduateOffered
Top program families by completions
187 total completions
01Public Admin
4423.5%
01Public Admin
4423.5%
02Business
3920.9%
02Business
3920.9%
03Parks/Recreation
2111.2%
03Parks/Recreation
2111.2%
04Computer Sciences
179.1%
04Computer Sciences
179.1%
05Liberal Arts
147.5%
05Liberal Arts
147.5%
06Biological Sciences
137.0%
06Biological Sciences
137.0%
07Psychology
137.0%
07Psychology
137.0%
08Social Sciences
115.9%
08Social Sciences
115.9%
09Communication
94.8%
09Communication
94.8%
10Health Professions
63.2%
10Health Professions
63.2%
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Fall total
1,302
12-mo unduplicated
1,501
Undergraduate
1,444
Graduate
57
Gender split
Men
48%724
Women
52%777
Race / ethnicity composition
Black
80.5%
Unknown
14.9%
Non-resident
2.3%
White
0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.6%
Hispanic
0.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.2%
Two or more
0.2%
Asian
0.2%
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Athletes
246
180 M · 66 W
Women athletes
26.8%
Athletic aid
$2.1M
Total student aid
Budget
$4.4M
Total expenses
Men vs women · spending splits
Athletic student aid
$1.4M
$662K
Recruiting expense
$67K
$1K
Head-coach salaries
$40K
$20K
Men Women
Sport-by-sport · 10
Sport
Men
Women
Expenses
Football
123
—
$2,111,118
Football
123 M · —
Track and Field (Indoor)
26
20
$239,542
Track and Field (Indoor)
26 M · 20 W
Track and Field (Outdoor)
26
20
$239,542
Track and Field (Outdoor)
26 M · 20 W
Basketball
14
14
$1,018,975
Basketball
14 M · 14 W
Cross Country
10
12
$61,583
Cross Country
10 M · 12 W
Tennis
5
7
$143,390
Tennis
5 M · 7 W
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
9.98
11 offenses · 1,102 students
3-year trend
5.152 yrs ago10.061 yr ago9.98Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
28
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
12
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
0
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
1
Criminal offenses by type
Burglary
4
Rape
2
Aggravated assault
2
Motor vehicle theft
2
Robbery
1
By location
11total
- On campus8
- Non-campus2
- Public property1
Includes 4 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).
VAWA offenses
6
Domestic violence
2
Dating violence
2
Stalking
10 total under the Violence Against Women Act.
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons31
Drugs839
Liquor06
Residence-hall fires
- Mosaic Village1 fireOtherDamage $0-$99
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Student-to-faculty
12.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
80
Johnson C Smith vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Johnson C Smith selected for federal comparison reporting.
This institutionPeer median
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectJohnson C Smith University | 34% | — | 1,302 | $20,894 | Baccalaureate |
Birmingham-Southern College | 64% | 51.9% | — | $23,351 | Baccalaureate |
| 53% | 91.7% | 1,448 | $17,800 | Baccalaureate | |
| 72% | 86.0% | 4,454 | $23,015 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 91% | 13.4% | 1,869 | $17,379 | Baccalaureate | |
| 43% | 41.9% | 1,080 | $22,094 | Baccalaureate | |
| 67% | 100.0% | 1,154 | $24,588 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | |
| 66% | 75.8% | 1,893 | $38,071 | Baccalaureate | |
| 31% | 85.3% | 1,277 | $23,238 | Baccalaureate | |
| 43% | 86.4% | 4,112 | $11,386 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs | |
| 79% | 42.9% | 2,554 | $30,308 | Baccalaureate | |
| 46% | 80.0% | 1,180 | $22,270 | Baccalaureate | |
| 18% | 48.5% | 738 | $10,904 | Baccalaureate | |
| 50% | 60.9% | 1,136 | $19,360 | Baccalaureate | |
| 59% | 44.0% | 2,847 | $39,013 | Baccalaureate | |
| 54% | 88.4% | 1,425 | $19,509 | Baccalaureate | |
| 70% | 86.6% | 1,687 | $27,866 | Baccalaureate | |
| 85% | 50.4% | 1,861 | $28,585 | Baccalaureate | |
| 67% | 83.1% | 1,804 | $24,503 | Baccalaureate | |
| 57% | 76.7% | 549 | $18,277 | Baccalaureate | |
| 28% | 46.1% | 3,193 | $8,172 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 37% | 96.5% | 1,318 | $16,646 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 78% | 24.9% | 3,417 | $38,967 | Baccalaureate | |
| 52% | 76.6% | 919 | $20,449 | Baccalaureate | |
| 25% | 62.2% | 731 | $15,258 | Baccalaureate | |
| 40% | 90.3% | 2,350 | $21,835 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 71% | 86.5% | 1,006 | $21,913 | Baccalaureate | |
| 40% | 73.7% | 802 | $15,635 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 54% | 91.9% | 3,056 | $12,250 | Baccalaureate | |
| 42% | 72.9% | 1,853 | $19,676 | Baccalaureate | |
| 39% | 96.0% | 3,246 | $11,139 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| 84% | 51.9% | 1,817 | $18,732 | Baccalaureate | |
| Peer group median | 54% | 76.6% | 1,687 | $20,672 |
Institutions like Johnson C Smith
Explore the federal data for institutions in Johnson C Smith's comparison group.
- BaccalaureateAlabama
Birmingham-Southern College
Grad rate64%Admit rate51.9%Enrollment—Net price$23,351 - BaccalaureateVirginia
Bridgewater College
Grad rate53%Admit rate91.7%Enrollment1,448Net price$17,800View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsVirginia
Christopher Newport University
Grad rate72%Admit rate86.0%Enrollment4,454Net price$23,015View data - BaccalaureateNorth Carolina
Davidson College
Grad rate91%Admit rate13.4%Enrollment1,869Net price$17,379View data - BaccalaureateLouisiana
Dillard University
Grad rate43%Admit rate41.9%Enrollment1,080Net price$22,094View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsVirginia
Eastern Mennonite University
Grad rate67%Admit rate100.0%Enrollment1,154Net price$24,588View data - BaccalaureateFlorida
Eckerd College
Grad rate66%Admit rate75.8%Enrollment1,893Net price$38,071View data - BaccalaureateFlorida
Florida Memorial University
Grad rate31%Admit rate85.3%Enrollment1,277Net price$23,238View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsSouth Carolina
Francis Marion University
Grad rate43%Admit rate86.4%Enrollment4,112Net price$11,386View data - BaccalaureateSouth Carolina
Furman University
Grad rate79%Admit rate42.9%Enrollment2,554Net price$30,308View data - BaccalaureateNorth Carolina
Guilford College
Grad rate46%Admit rate80.0%Enrollment1,180Net price$22,270View data - BaccalaureateTennessee
Lane College
Grad rate18%Admit rate48.5%Enrollment738Net price$10,904View data - BaccalaureateTennessee
Maryville College
Grad rate50%Admit rate60.9%Enrollment1,136Net price$19,360View data - BaccalaureateGeorgia
Morehouse College
Grad rate59%Admit rate44.0%Enrollment2,847Net price$39,013View data - BaccalaureateGeorgia
Oglethorpe University
Grad rate54%Admit rate88.4%Enrollment1,425Net price$19,509View data - BaccalaureateVirginia
Randolph-Macon College
Grad rate70%Admit rate86.6%Enrollment1,687Net price$27,866View data - BaccalaureateTennessee
Rhodes College
Grad rate85%Admit rate50.4%Enrollment1,861Net price$28,585View data - BaccalaureateVirginia
Roanoke College
Grad rate67%Admit rate83.1%Enrollment1,804Net price$24,503View data - BaccalaureateNorth Carolina
Salem College
Grad rate57%Admit rate76.7%Enrollment549Net price$18,277View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsGeorgia
Savannah State University
Grad rate28%Admit rate46.1%Enrollment3,193Net price$8,172View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsGeorgia
Shorter University
Grad rate37%Admit rate96.5%Enrollment1,318Net price$16,646View data - BaccalaureateGeorgia
Spelman College
Grad rate78%Admit rate24.9%Enrollment3,417Net price$38,967View data - BaccalaureateAlabama
Spring Hill College
Grad rate52%Admit rate76.6%Enrollment919Net price$20,449View data - BaccalaureateAlabama
Stillman College
Grad rate25%Admit rate62.2%Enrollment731Net price$15,258View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsKentucky
Thomas More University
Grad rate40%Admit rate90.3%Enrollment2,350Net price$21,835View data - BaccalaureateKentucky
Transylvania University
Grad rate71%Admit rate86.5%Enrollment1,006Net price$21,913View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsLouisiana
University of Holy Cross
Grad rate40%Admit rate73.7%Enrollment802Net price$15,635View data - BaccalaureateNorth Carolina
University of North Carolina Asheville
Grad rate54%Admit rate91.9%Enrollment3,056Net price$12,250View data - BaccalaureateVirginia
Virginia Wesleyan University
Grad rate42%Admit rate72.9%Enrollment1,853Net price$19,676View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsWest Virginia
West Virginia State University
Grad rate39%Admit rate96.0%Enrollment3,246Net price$11,139View data - BaccalaureateSouth Carolina
Wofford College
Grad rate84%Admit rate51.9%Enrollment1,817Net price$18,732View data
Johnson C Smith Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
Office
Office of Accreditation, Data Analytics, and Transformation
Address
100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216
The Office of Accreditation, Data Analytics, and Transformation supports and advances the mission and strategic plan of Johnson C. Smith University by providing leadership and guidance for assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, data analytics, research, and transformation initiatives.
Visit IR office pageTeam
1 member
- Tahtiana Brooks-ViaAssessment and Accreditation Coordinator
Common Data Set
Johnson C Smith's own annual Common Data Set: the most detailed self-reported reference for selectivity, cost, outcomes, and the student body.
Source publications
Reports & documents (3)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardjcsu.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- Strategic planThe Gold(en) Blueprint2021The Gold(en) Blueprint is the strategic plan for Johnson C. Smith University, focused on guiding the institution from 2021 to 2025. This plan outlines key initiatives and goals aimed at enhancing the University's mission and vision. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the full document for comprehensive details on objectives and outcomes.jcsu.edu
Grants & funding (3)
Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.
Notable alumni of Johnson C Smith (23)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- John Hurst AdamsReligion
- Tim BeamerAthletics
- Frederick C. BranchMilitary
- Eva ClaytonPolitics
- Dorothy CountsCivil Rights
- Chet GrimsleyWriting
- Henry Aaron HillChemistry
- Vince MatthewsAthletics
- Mildred Mitchell-BatemanPsychiatry
- Curly NealAthletics
- Melanie Harrison OkoroScience
- Danielle WilliamsAthletics
Showing 1–12 of 23
1 / 2
Frequently asked questions about Johnson C Smith University
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Johnson C Smith.
What is the graduation rate at Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University reports a 6-year graduation rate of 34% per the latest IPEDS.
How many students attend Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University reports a total enrollment of 1,302 students per the latest IPEDS.
What is the average net price at Johnson C Smith University?
The average net price at Johnson C Smith University is $20,894 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.
What is the yield rate at Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University's yield rate is 12.8%, the share of admitted students who enrolled, per the latest IPEDS.
Where is Johnson C Smith University located?
Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, North Carolina 28216-5398.
Who runs Institutional Research at Johnson C Smith University?
Johnson C Smith University's IR work is done by the Office of Accreditation, Data Analytics, and Transformation.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
IPEDS2025 provisional data (Fall 2025–26 release, July 28, 2026)
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.
DAPIP accreditationContinuously refreshed
Accreditation status for institutions and programs, reported by recognized accrediting agencies.
Federal Pell Grant volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Pell Grant recipient counts, award amounts, and disbursements by institution and award year.
Federal student loan volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Federal Direct Loan recipient counts and disbursement volume by institution and award year.
Cohort Default RatesFY 2022 official rates
Institution-level federal student loan default rates, measuring borrowers who default within three years of entering repayment.
Equity in Athletics (EADA)Academic year 2024–25
Athletics participation, coaching, revenues, and expenses by sport and gender for Title IV institutions.
Campus Safety & SecurityData through reporting year 2024
Criminal offenses, arrests, disciplinary actions, VAWA offenses, and fire statistics reported by campus under the Clery Act.
Last reviewed July 2026All data sources & release dates →
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