Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 52.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 52.1%
- Retention Rate
- 63.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $43,418
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 68.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,254 | $26,229 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $26,100 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $37,054 | $27,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor | $36,275 | $25,768 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $35,849 | $26,982 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $25,125 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management. | Bachelor | $34,153 | $26,100 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. | Bachelor | $32,707 | $27,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $28,091 | $14,167 |
Outcomes Overview
Johnson & Wales Charlotte graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $26,000 and monthly loan payments of $276. Their typical first-year earnings of $33,862 mean loan payments consume about 10% of gross income, which is manageable compared to the national average of 15%. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 reflects reasonable borrowing for career-focused training. The 96.3% employment rate demonstrates strong industry connections in hospitality, culinary arts, and business management. Most graduates find work in restaurants, hotels, event planning companies, and corporate food service operations where hands-on training translates directly to job skills. Given the specialized career preparation and solid employment outcomes, this represents an average return on investment for students committed to hospitality careers.