At $20,011/yr net price, Johnson C Smith University graduates earn $42,680/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,680/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,011 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,044 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,680/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,680/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $30,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,693/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,425/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,959/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,673/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,063/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | Master | $46,087 | $41,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $39,741 | $29,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $30,277 | $31,742 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $26,933 | $32,889 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $24,421 | $30,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 | $31,000 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $24,035 | $30,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $22,192 | $28,750 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $21,964 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $18,315 | $31,000 |
The Risk Factor
34.1% of students at Johnson C Smith University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Johnson C Smith University asks you to take on a real financial gamble. You borrow a median $30,000, but only 34% of students finish, and ten-year earnings land below what many bachelor's holders make. If you don't graduate, you keep the debt without the degree that pays it down.
The programs split sharply. Computer and Information Sciences is the one that pays: graduates earn roughly $13,000 more than psychology or general studies majors while carrying similar debt. Business Administration lands in the middle. Social work, psychology, and liberal arts all leave you earning in the mid-$20,000s against debt above $30,000 , for those majors, the money you borrow outpaces what the degree returns early on. If you enroll here, computer science is the major where the numbers work.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. With a 62% retention rate, roughly four in ten of you won't return after freshman year, and the 34% graduation rate means the debt-without-degree scenario is common, not rare. That is the central financial danger at this school.
The net price tiers are unusual. Families earning $30,000-$48,000 pay the most at $29,425, more than families making over $110,000. If you fall in that income band, run your actual aid offer carefully , the sticker math works against you specifically. The lowest published price goes to the $48,000-$75,000 band.
This school fits you if you're set on computer science and confident you'll graduate. If you're drawn to psychology, social work, or general studies, the earnings-to-debt math is weak, and a lower-cost option would leave you in a better financial position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnson C Smith University worth the cost?
Johnson C Smith University's ROI is below average, with graduates earning $42,680 ten years after enrollment while carrying typical debt of $30,000. The low 34% graduation rate means many students leave without a degree but still owe money.
What are the best paying majors at Johnson C Smith University?
Social Work graduates from Johnson C Smith University earn the highest median salary at $46,087, followed by Computer and Information Sciences at $39,741. Business and Liberal Arts majors earn significantly less, with Liberal Arts graduates making only $24,421.
How much debt do Johnson C Smith University students graduate with?
Johnson C Smith University graduates typically carry $30,000 in student loan debt. With median earnings of $42,680, this debt-to-income ratio is manageable but not ideal compared to higher-earning schools.
What is the graduation rate at Johnson C Smith University?
Only 34% of students graduate from Johnson C Smith University within six years. This low completion rate means most students leave without a degree, often still owing money for their incomplete education.