At $32,478/yr net price, Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates earn $43,418/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,418/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $32,478 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $129,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,418/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,418/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 13.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,488/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,394/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,538/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,740/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,008/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $105,585 | $114,625 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $87,604 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $56,641 | $27,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $27,000 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $50,677 | $34,341 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Bachelor | $50,439 | |
| Engineering, Other. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,254 | $26,229 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $39,369 |
The Risk Factor
54.9% of students at Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Johnson & Wales-Providence sits in a tough financial spot. You pay over $32,000 a year and come out earning a median of about $43,000 ten years later. That gap is the whole problem: the sticker price runs well ahead of what the typical graduate earns, and the median debt of $26,000 lands on you regardless of which door you walk out of.
Your major decides everything here. Finance graduates clear $56,000, and the engineering-adjacent programs (computer engineering, electrical engineering technology) land in the low-to-mid $50,000s. Those pay off against the cost. But they carry the same roughly $27,000 in debt as everyone else, so the return depends entirely on landing in a field where the salary follows. The school's culinary and hospitality reputation doesn't show up in the top-earning programs listed, and the median across all graduates being $43,000 tells you plenty of majors here land well below the finance and engineering numbers.
The specific risk is the roughly one in four students who don't finish. A 55% graduation rate means you can take on debt and pay the net price without ever getting the degree that justifies it. That's the worst outcome, and it's not rare here.
The net price barely moves by income. A family under $30,000 still pays around $28,000, and even at the top bracket it's $35,000. Aid does little to close the gap for lower-income families, so the price is heavy across the board.
This school works if you're headed into finance, engineering, or computer fields and you finish. If you're chasing lower-paying majors, or unsure you'll graduate, the math is hard to defend at this price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence worth the high tuition cost?
With a net price of $32,478 and 10-year median earnings of $43,418, Johnson & Wales University-Providence offers below-average financial returns for most students. The low graduation rate of 55% adds significant risk to the investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
Allied Health programs lead with median earnings of $105,585, followed by Educational Administration at $87,604. Most other programs, including the popular culinary and hospitality fields, generate much lower returns relative to the cost.
How much debt do Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates typically have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable compared to their net price. However, with starting salaries around $43,000, loan payments will consume a significant portion of income for most graduates.
Should I attend Johnson & Wales University-Providence for culinary arts or hospitality?
While Johnson & Wales University-Providence is known for these programs, they typically lead to lower-paying careers that may not justify the $32,478 annual cost. Consider more affordable culinary schools or community college programs for better ROI in these fields.