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#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

JCSU Admission Requirements

Charlotte, North Carolina

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Johnson C Smith University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

25.3%
Admission Difficulty for Johnson C Smith University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at JCSU is 25.3%.  Its admission rate is the 6th lowest in North Carolina and the 95th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into JCSU and can you get accepted?

JCSU is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, only 583 out of the 2,306 who applied were admitted.

Johnson C Smith University typically accepts and attracts "C+" average high school students with an average GPA around 2.48. 46% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into JCSU?

25% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Johnson C Smith University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 2.48 or better
  • Earn C+ grades in high school
  • Score 890 on the SAT
  • Score 15 on the ACT

JCSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

2.48

Typical High School Grades 

C+

What GPA do you need to get into Johnson C Smith University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into JCSU are to have around a 2.48 high school GPA.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to JCSU will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at JCSU is 2.48 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn C+ letter grades and regularly score around 77-79 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #61 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since JCSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 2.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Johnson C Smith University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 1.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 3.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 6.0% Good
3.25 to 3.49 3.0% Good
3.00 to 3.24 10.0% Good
2.50 to 2.99 23.0% Avg +
2.00 to 2.49 34.0% Avg -
1.00 to 1.99 19.0% Reach
less than 1.00 19.0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

JCSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by Johnson C Smith University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

800-980

Applicants Submitting SAT 

76%
SAT Scores for Johnson C Smith University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 410
Math 25th Percentile 390
Composite 25th Percentile 800
SAT Scores for Johnson C Smith University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 500
Math 75th Percentile 480
Composite 75th Percentile 980
Average SAT Score 890

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Johnson C Smith University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at JCSU is 890 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 800-980. Students who get into Johnson C Smith University score in the top 91 percent of all SAT test takers..  JCSU ranks #46 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 890 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. JCSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 800 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 800, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 710, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Johnson C Smith University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 890 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 890, you have around a 25% chance of being admitted. A 980 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 39% chance of getting in.

Johnson C Smith University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
980 and Above Good >39%
890 to 980 Avg + 25%-39%
800 to 890 Avg - 15%-25%
710 to 800 Reach 8%-15%
Less than 710 Low <8%
Calculate My Chances 

JCSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

13-18 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

40%
ACT Scores for Johnson C Smith University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 11
Math 25th Percentile 14
Composite 25th Percentile 13
ACT Scores for Johnson C Smith University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 17
Math 75th Percentile 17
Composite 75th Percentile 18
Average ACT Score 15

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into JCSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to JCSU is 15, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 13 and 18.  The school ranks #48 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 15. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 13 and score in the score in the top 93 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 10.

40 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Johnson C Smith University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Johnson C Smith University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into JCSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 15 score has around 25% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 42% with a 18 ACT score.

Johnson C Smith University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
18 and Above Good >42%
15 to 18 Avg + 25%-42%
13 to 15 Avg - 17%-25%
11 to 13 Reach 11%-17%
Less than 11 Low <11%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Johnson C Smith University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,228 852 2,306
Accepted 299 283 583
Acceptance Rate 24% 33% 25%
Enrolled 122 144 266
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 41% 51% 46%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Johnson C Smith University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Johnson C Smith University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Johnson C Smith University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Johnson C Smith University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because JCSU is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 2.48 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 890 on the SAT or 15 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 980 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

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