Johnson C Smith University

Johnson C Smith University's published cost of attendance is $34,923. Net price by income band reflects the institution's need-based aid structure: low-income families pay approximately $19,940, middle-income families pay around $21,005, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,050.

Azimuth ranks Johnson C Smith University #1036 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.

Johnson C Smith's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid distributed through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. Families apply using the FAFSA to determine eligibility and aid packaging.

The institution's affordability rank reflects both the headline cost and the debt load graduates carry, recognizing that [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), though the gap between them varies by institution and income level. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $30,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,635; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.

For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $46,511, median federal debt of $30,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $339 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).

Graduates of Johnson C. Smith University earn median 4-year earnings of $38,600, placing Johnson C.

Smith University in the 34th percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn above expectations, placing Johnson C.

Smith University in the 61st percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Johnson C.

Smith University 1,058 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 38th percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern is anchored in business and professional fields.

Business Administration and Management is the largest program with 88 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $43,200, representing 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. The Criminal Justice program graduates 45 students with median 4-year earnings of $37,100, and the The Psychology program graduates 34 students earning $32,800.

Social Work and Biology round out the top programs, with graduates earning $36,700 and $33,200 respectively. The concentration in business — representing 23% of degrees — reflects the institution's focus on fields with direct pathways to employment and stable career progression.

Johnson C Smith University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's focus on career-ready preparation for its student body. Business Administration is the largest program with 59 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Communication and Media Studies, General Studies, and Artificial Intelligence.

Across 11 total programs serving roughly 203 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects Johnson C Smith University's positioning as a business-focused private institution.

Business Administration leads with median earnings of $51,371 four years after enrollment, while Criminology graduates earn $46,215 and Kinesiology graduates earn $44,678. Biology, General and Communication and Media Studies round out the strongest-earning programs with median earnings of $42,595 and $40,600 respectively.

These outcomes correspond to the institution's concentration in Business, which accounts for a substantial share of degree output and connects directly to Charlotte's growing financial services and professional services sectors. Most of Johnson C Smith University's programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect regional labor-market outcomes.

The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's business-focused portfolio aligns with employment trends in the Carolinas. For students prioritizing early-career earnings and direct workforce entry, the concentration in applied business and professional fields offers clear pathways to stable employment.