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Johnson & Wales University-Online

Private nonprofit Providence, RI · Urban · New England · 87% data
B+ Diversity C+ Earnings C- Value
Earnings (10yr)
$43,418 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$20,252 C-
18% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
91% D
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Enrollment
2,202
Earnings +6% vs avg
Net Price 18% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years.

13.6× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $13.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,023,057.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Every $1 invested returns $13.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Johnson & Wales University-Online

Johnson & Wales University-Online is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private University
Carnegie Class
Master's University
Enrollment
2,202
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Psychology, Culinary & Personal Services, Computer Science & IT

Why students choose Johnson & Wales University-Online

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 53% overall
C+
Earnings
$43,418 median
C-
Value
2.1× net price
C-
Affordability
$20,252/yr net
D
Selectivity
91% admit rate
B+
Diversity
0.70 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an acceptance rate of 91%, Johnson & Wales University-Online is an accessible choice for students looking to dive into fields like Business & Marketing, Psychology, or Health Professions. This school suits individuals who appreciate flexibility in their education and want to balance studies with other commitments. The online format allows learners from various backgrounds to pursue their passions, whether that's culinary arts or communications.

Looking at what students can expect after graduation, the average earnings after ten years for alumni is about $43,418. That’s a solid starting point, especially considering the diverse programs available. Many graduates find opportunities to elevate their careers, particularly in business-related fields. Affordability also plays a big role; with a net price of around $20,252, it positions itself as a viable option for many.

When it comes to the financial side, students typically graduate with a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable given the earning potential. About 36% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating support for those who need it most. This environment is particularly conducive for self-motivated individuals who are ready to take charge of their education and career paths.

Can I Get In?

How selective Johnson & Wales University-Online is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson & Wales University-Online? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University-Online admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%.

Acceptance Rate
91%
Retention Rate
52%
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$10,481
Student–Faculty Ratio
11:1
Diversity Index
0.70
First-Gen Students
35%
Applicants
400
Admitted
270

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Johnson & Wales University-Online? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Johnson & Wales University-Online is $13,365, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,252. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,916 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$13,365
Out-of-State
$13,365
Avg Net Price
$20,252
Median Debt
$26,000
Pell Grant Rate
36%
Federal Loan Rate
51%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$19,916
Family Income $30K–$48K
$20,580
Family Income $48K–$75K
$19,319
Family Income $110K+
$25,364

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Johnson & Wales University-Online — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Johnson & Wales University-Online Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Johnson & Wales University-Online report median earnings of $43,418, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$35,802
8 Years
$40,078
10 Years
$43,418
Debt-to-Earnings
0.6x
Earning > $25K
61%

Earnings Trajectory

$35,802 6yr $40,078 8yr $43,418 10yr

How Johnson Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGEarnings 10yr$43KNet Price$20KRetention52%Median Debt$26KPell Grant Rate36%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$20K$0-30K$21K$30-48K$19K$48-75K$25K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Johnson & Wales University-Online Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Johnson & Wales University-Online delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,252/year ($81,008 total). Graduates earn $43,418 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,104,065 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,023,057 (13.6× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$81,008
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,104,065
Net Return
$1,023,057
ROI Multiple
13.6×
Cost Per Year
$20,252
Median Debt
$26,000
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Johnson & Wales University-Online awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson & Wales University-Online? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University-Online admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Johnson & Wales University-Online? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Johnson & Wales University-Online is $13,365, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,252. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,916 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.

Is Johnson & Wales University-Online Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Johnson & Wales University-Online report median earnings of $43,418, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Johnson & Wales University-Online.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys