Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Knoxville, Tennessee
53.8% Acceptance Rate
Johnson University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
53.8%Acceptance Rate
3.52Avg GPA
1072Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$30,424Annual Cost
$40,596Grad Salary
38.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
53.8%
Avg GPA
3.52
Avg SAT
1072
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
890–1090
ACT Middle 50%
19–24
Need-Based Aid
38.3% receive Pell
Johnson University, established in 1893 as the School of the Evangelists in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a private Christian university ranked #71 in Regional Colleges South by U.S. News. The university's 175-acre main campus in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains houses the Gally Commons student center, the Paul H. Stephens Chapel, and the new STEM and Health Sciences Building. Johnson offers over 40 undergraduate programs through its four colleges, with particular strengths in biblical studies, intercultural studies, and teacher education. The university's graduate programs include a Master of Divinity accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
Johnson's signature Global Project program sends over 70% of students on international mission experiences to more than 30 countries. The university maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a distinctive 'Servant Leader' scholarship program that combines financial aid with leadership development. Johnson's extensive online education division serves nontraditional students worldwide, while campus life revolves around spiritual formation activities like chapel services and discipleship groups. The university's archives preserve significant materials related to the Restoration Movement and 19th century American religious history.
Johnson University Acceptance Rate
Johnson University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 53.8% each year.
What Johnson University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 53.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.07
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Johnson University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Johnson University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Johnson University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Johnson University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Johnson University is 3.52. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.22 and 3.52? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.72–3.92.Johnson University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.52 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.32 – 3.51
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.12 – 3.31
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.11
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Restoration Movement?affiliated (Christian Churches and Churches of Christ); Kimberlin Heights (Knoxville), TN; founded 1893; SACSCOC and Association for Biblical Higher Education accredited; 440 acres on French Broad River, 12 miles from downtown Knoxville; NAIA Appalachian Athletic Conference
- 65% acceptance rate; $35 application fee; personal statement + 1 recommendation required; test-optional; rolling admissions; FAFSA priority deadline April 1 for new students
- Mandatory dual major: Bible & Theology + any second major (30+ options); 120 total service-learning hours required for graduation (15 hrs/semester via SALT); faculty largely live on campus; chapel required
- 98% of students receive scholarships; tuition ~$20,318; 62% six-year graduation rate; median earnings $40,596 (10 years post-enrollment); Florida campus in Kissimmee operates under same UNITID (220473)
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Johnson University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Johnson University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Johnson University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Johnson University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Johnson University Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at Johnson University. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
Johnson University Average SAT Score: 1072
Admitted students at Johnson University average a 1072 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1072 — Accessible
A 1072 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1090 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Johnson University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 890? A retake is worth it at Johnson University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 495 | 430 | 560 |
| SAT Reading | 495 | 460 | 530 |
| SAT Composite | 1072 | 890 | 1090 |
A score under 890 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1090+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Johnson University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Johnson University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Johnson University ACT Requirements
Johnson University's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 22 | 19 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 24 |
Can I get into Johnson University with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of Johnson University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Johnson University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Johnson University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Johnson University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Every Student Double Majors - Understand This Before You Apply
Johnson's signature structural feature is non-negotiable: every undergraduate student completes a major in Bible and Theology alongside a second major of their choosing from 30+ options - elementary education, psychology, music, media arts, mathematics, intercultural studies, criminal justice, business administration, and more. This isn't a minor or a concentration add-on; it's a full second major built into the degree for every student regardless of their career track. The admissions essay (? to 1 page) asks for a personal introduction, your purpose for pursuing Johnson specifically, and a list of the courses you intend to enroll in - that last item signals they want students who have actually looked at the catalog, not just submitted a generic faith-school essay. Application fee is $35; no Common App; apply directly at johnsonu.edu.
The SALT Service Requirement Is a Graduation Requirement, Not an Extracurricular
All Johnson students complete 15 hours of service-learning per semester through the Service and Learning Together (SALT) program, graduating with at least 120 total hours. These aren't volunteer hours you track independently - they're embedded in the academic calendar and connected to coursework, with students providing service in churches, community organizations, and ministry settings. For students entering with a strong existing service orientation, this reinforces what they're already doing. For students who haven't considered service as a structural academic commitment, this is worth understanding before enrolling: it affects your weekly schedule every semester.
Chapel Attendance Is Required - Know the Specific Expectation
Johnson requires chapel attendance as part of student life. The university is affiliated with the independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (Restoration Movement), and chapel is a community worship expectation, not an optional campus ministry activity. Before enrolling, ask admissions for the current chapel credit or attendance requirement structure - this varies by institution and matters practically for commuter students and those with off-campus work commitments. Johnson's campus is also distinctly residential: many faculty live on campus, which shapes the community rhythm in ways that differ from larger commuter-friendly Christian universities.
98% Receive Scholarships - But Identify the Priority FAFSA Deadline Early
Johnson reports that 98% of students receive some form of scholarship aid, and tuition at roughly $20,318 is deliberately kept low relative to peer Christian universities. The institutional priority FAFSA deadline for new and transfer students is April 1 - after that date, work-study and program scholarship availability decreases. Submitting before April 1 and being accepted before that window gives you the widest access to institutional aid stacking. The Florida campus in Kissimmee operates under the same UNITID and shares the institutional identity, so students who apply to or transfer between campuses remain within the same institutional structure.
Expert Insight:
Johnson's essay prompt explicitly asks for a list of courses the applicant intends to enroll in - a detail that most students skip or treat as an afterthought. Admissions reads it. Students who list two or three actual course names from the catalog signal genuine research and intentionality. Students who leave it blank or write "TBD" signal the opposite. Given that every student double-majors in Bible and Theology, Johnson can tell from that list whether an applicant understands what the academic program actually looks like week to week.
Johnson University Profile
Full Name
Johnson University
City
Knoxville
State
Tennessee
ZIP Code
37998
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Johnson University Degree Worth It?
At $30,424/year against a $40,596 median graduate salary, Johnson University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $60,400, and graduates see a 2.82% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Johnson University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $30,424/year at Johnson University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At Johnson University, 38.3% receive a Pell Grant and 56.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Johnson University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Johnson University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Johnson University graduates report a median income of $40,596, about 0% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Johnson University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Point University | West Point, GA | 1059 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Johnson University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Johnson University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Johnson University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnson University Admissions
Johnson University graduates earn a lower median salary of $40,596/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Johnson University is moderate, around $30,424/year; many students supplement with aid.
38.3% of Johnson University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Johnson University's acceptance rate is 53.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Johnson University students is 3.52, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.22 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Johnson University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.12 or below makes admission tougher at Johnson University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Johnson University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1072, and within the 890–1090 range, keeps you competitive.
Johnson University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026. That's Johnson University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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