JCSU Admission Requirements

  • 3/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Charlotte, NC
  • 4.5 2 reviews
#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

JCSU Admission Overview

JCSU admission requirements are competitive. Last year JCSU admitted 45.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 2.48 GPA (C+). JCSU is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

JCSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

45.2%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Johnson C Smith University

Acceptance Rate

The JCSU acceptance rate is 45.2%. Last year, 3,083 of 6,820 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

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

JCSU is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Johnson C Smith University typically attracts "C+" average high school students with an average GPA around 2.48. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

JCSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

2.48

Typical High School Grades

C+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 2.48

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at JCSU typically have around a 2.48 GPA (C+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. JCSU is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

The school ranks #59 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 2.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Johnson C Smith University freshmen
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 1.0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

JCSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

800-980

Freshmen who sent SAT

76%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 410
  • Math 390
  • Composite 800
SAT 25th percentile scores for Johnson C Smith University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 500
  • Math 480
  • Composite 980
SAT 75th percentile scores for Johnson C Smith University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at JCSU typically score around a 890 SAT (middle 50% 800–980) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 21st percentile nationally. JCSU ranks #47 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 800 to 980

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

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

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

JCSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

13-18

Freshmen reporting ACT

40%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 11
  • Math 14
  • Composite 13
ACT 25th percentile scores for Johnson C Smith University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 17
  • Math 17
  • Composite 18
ACT 75th percentile scores for Johnson C Smith University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at JCSU typically have around a 15 ACT (mid-50 13–18) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 19th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. JCSU places #46 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 13 to 18

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 15.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the JCSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Johnson C Smith University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,107 2,011 6,820
Accepted 1,848 1,138 3,083
Acceptance Rate 59% 57% 45%
Enrolled 207 188 396
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 17% 13%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement Used for Admission
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 considered for admission, even 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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Johnson C Smith University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

JCSU is test-free for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 45.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 2.48 GPA (about an C+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Johnson C Smith University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=198756.

GPA calculator: Johnson C Smith University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026