SelectiveReviewed for the 2025-2026 cycle

Johnson C. Smith University acceptance rate and admissions profile

Johnson C. Smith University, a private college in North Carolina, reports a 45% acceptance rate and sits in the selective band. In practice that means it admits a minority of applicants, so a strong application is judged against an applicant pool that is already self-selected.

Use this page to see what Johnson C. Smith University weighs, where it ranks among North Carolina schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1020, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
45%
Selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1020
of admitted students
Type
Private
North Carolina
Selectivity in state
#7
of 38 in NC
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Will I get into Johnson C. Smith University?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Johnson C. Smith University, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into Johnson C. Smith University?

Your odds at Johnson C. Smith University are not the same as its 45% acceptance rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Johnson C. Smith University in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is Johnson C. Smith University hard to get into?

Johnson C. Smith University is selective: it admits a minority of applicants, with about a 45% acceptance rate. A solid academic record puts you in good position, and the rest of your profile can tip the result either way.

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

There is no hard GPA cutoff at Johnson C. Smith University, but admitted students commonly present roughly a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA. Johnson C. Smith University reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for Johnson C. Smith University?

Johnson C. Smith University does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1020. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at Johnson C. Smith University.

Calculate your chances at Johnson C. Smith University

What Johnson C. Smith University looks for

What Johnson C. Smith University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

The factors that carry the most weight at Johnson C. Smith University are rigor of secondary school record and academic GPA. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Johnson C. Smith University's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Considered
Application essay
Considered
Recommendations
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at Johnson C. Smith University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Johnson C. Smith University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300Above the admitted 75th percentile
1200Above the admitted 75th percentile
1100Above the admitted 75th percentile
Colleges for a 1000 SAT →Colleges for a 19 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How Johnson C. Smith University compares in North Carolina

Johnson C. Smith University ranks #7 most selective of 38 schools in North Carolina in our database.

Among the 38 North Carolina schools we track, Johnson C. Smith University ranks #7 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Duke University (6%) and Davidson College (13%) sit nearby, which makes North Carolina a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Duke University
6%acceptance · NC
Davidson College
13%acceptance · NC
University of North Carolina
15%acceptance · NC
Wake Forest University
22%acceptance · NC
Carolina University
40%acceptance · NC
NC State University
42%acceptance · NC
North Carolina A&T State University
50%acceptance · NC
Livingstone College
59%acceptance · NC
See all North Carolina schools →

Similar to Johnson C. Smith University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Applicants targeting Johnson C. Smith University often weigh Loyola Marymount University, Bentley University, and The King's College, which sit at a similar level. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Loyola Marymount University
45%acceptance · CA
Bentley University
45%acceptance · MA
The King's College
45%acceptance · NY
Oakwood University
45%acceptance · AL
College of Saint Mary (NE)
45%acceptance · NE
Syracuse University
46%acceptance · NY

Frequently asked questions

What does Johnson C. Smith University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Johnson C. Smith University weighs rigor of secondary school record and academic GPA most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does Johnson C. Smith University consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. Johnson C. Smith University's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at Johnson C. Smith University?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Johnson C. Smith University specifically.

Is Johnson C. Smith University a target or a reach for an average applicant?

For an applicant whose GPA and scores sit near Johnson C. Smith University's admitted range, it generally reads as a target rather than a reach. Run your exact profile through the free calculator to see your personal verdict.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.