Johnson & Wales University-Providence
#5 Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $43,418 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $31,027 F
- 81% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 88% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 8.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $8.9 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Most Affordable Colleges in Rhode Island.
Every $1 spent returns $8.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $979,957.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $8.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Johnson & Wales University-Providence Matters
Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private university in Providence, RI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 3,868
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Culinary & Personal Services, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Johnson & Wales University-Providence
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 88% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 890–1160. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $31,027 a year after grants and scholarships — 81% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $43,418 ten years after enrolling — 6% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.64 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 88%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence welcomes a diverse range of students seeking careers in fields like Culinary and Personal Services, Business and Marketing, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, and Health Professions. This school is ideal for those who want hands-on experience and practical skills, especially in the culinary arts, where it has a notable reputation. The small student body of about 3,868 allows for a more personalized learning environment, which can be a big plus for students looking for support and community.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $43,418 within ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 55%, it’s important to consider that many graduates find their footing in their chosen fields. Affordability is a significant factor here; with a net price of $31,027 and a Pell Grant rate of 30%, there are financial options available for those who qualify. This combination of factors helps students navigate their post-college paths more effectively.
Looking at the cost after aid, the median debt for graduates is $26,000. This means that while students may take on some debt, it’s manageable when compared to their earning potential. Those who thrive here are typically motivated individuals with clear career goals, ready to engage in both their studies and the practical experiences the university emphasizes. This approach can lead to meaningful careers in a variety of fields, setting students up for success as they move into the workforce.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Johnson & Wales University-Providence is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson & Wales University-Providence? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University-Providence admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- SAT Average
- 1050
- SAT Range
- 890–1160
- ACT Range
- 22–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,624
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 8,281
- Admitted
- 6,909
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-Providence? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Johnson & Wales University-Providence is $42,419, 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 $31,027. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,530 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $42,419
- Out-of-State
- $42,419
- Avg Net Price
- $31,027
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 72%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $25,530
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $25,443
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $28,088
- Family Income $110K+
- $35,464
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-Providence — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (900)
- 53%
- 100% (900)
- 53%
- 100% (900)
- 53%
- 100% (900)
- 53%
How Johnson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Johnson & Wales University-Providence delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $31,027/year ($124,108 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 $979,957 (8.9× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $124,108
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,104,065
- Net Return
- $979,957
- ROI Multiple
- 8.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $31,027
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-31,627,082
Top Programs
The fields Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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.
- Culinary & Personal Services 36% $35,065 early-career
- Business & Marketing 20% $67,300 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $125,455 early-career
- Criminal Justice 7% $41,714 early-career
- Psychology 5% $33,765 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $59,931 early-career
- Communications 1% $44,638 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 1%
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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Johnson & Wales University-Providence's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Johnson & Wales University-Providence? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University-Providence admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 88%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,050. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Johnson & Wales University-Providence? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Johnson & Wales University-Providence is $42,419, 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 $31,027. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $25,530 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Johnson & Wales University-Providence report median earnings of $43,418, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Johnson & Wales University-Providence.
- Columbia College ChicagoChicago, IL · Close peer50% grad $42,195 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK · Close peer56% grad $46,885 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, GA · Close peer48% grad $42,712 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Culinary Institute of AmericaHyde Park, NY · Close peer64% grad $47,475 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Everglades UniversityBoca Raton, FL · Close peer59% grad $47,597 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Flagler CollegeSaint Augustine, FL · Close peer56% grad $49,483 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note