DSC vs. JCSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA with Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dalton State College is larger than JCSU based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 1,302 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Johnson C Smith University is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Johnson C Smith University 12:1.

DSC vs. JCSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or JCSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dalton State College than JCSU ($5,625 vs. $19,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 17.5% lower than at Dalton State College ($8,600 vs. $10,419).
• Johnson C Smith University is 538.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $17,964 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.9% higher at JCSU than at Dalton State College (about $10,644 more per year; $21,300.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson C Smith University than at Dalton State College (93% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson C Smith University students is 129% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($15,238 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. JCSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or JCSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between JCSU and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresJohnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresJohnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; JCSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman DSC students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at JCSU (2.48).

DSC vs. JCSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and JCSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Johnson C Smith University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Dalton State College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,500 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $17,163 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($14,887 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $178 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($153 vs. $331).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.