Johnson & Wales: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Johnson & Wales University-Providence · Providence, Rhode Island · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #98 (tie) in Regional Universities North; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #253 (tie), Computer Science #452 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Johnson & Wales University-Providence.
Is Johnson & Wales a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Johnson & Wales against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Johnson & Wales is a private nonprofit university in Providence, Rhode Island that admits about 88% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $31,027 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Culinary Arts and Related Services, Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services and Hospitality Administration/Management, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Johnson & Wales is a private institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. For the most recent reporting cycle, Johnson & Wales admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 88%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1050. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $31,027 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Johnson & Wales?
Johnson & Wales has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
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SAT and ACT scores Johnson & Wales typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1050 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| 25th percentile | 22 |
| 50th percentile | n/a |
| 75th percentile | 27 |
How much does Johnson & Wales actually cost?
Published tuition is $42,419 for in-state students and $42,419 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,800 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $31,027 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 30% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $31,027 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Johnson & Wales
Most popular majors at Johnson & Wales
The most popular undergraduate programs at Johnson & Wales, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Culinary Arts and Related Services, Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services and Hospitality Administration/Management. Across all programs, Johnson & Wales confers roughly 663 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Culinary Arts and Related Services program report a median income of about $39,083 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | 159 | $39,083 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 142 | $41,943 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 93 | $46,169 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 73 | $50,488 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 64 | $57,459 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 56 | $52,954 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 39 | $45,190 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 37 | $48,340 |
Is Johnson & Wales safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Johnson & Wales disclosed 21 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 15 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for Johnson & Wales
Common questions parents ask about Johnson & Wales
What GPA do I need for Johnson & Wales?
Johnson & Wales has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Johnson & Wales typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–27.
How much does Johnson & Wales actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Johnson & Wales after grants and scholarships is $31,027 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $42,419. Budget against the net figure.
Is Johnson & Wales realistic for my child?
Johnson & Wales admits 88% of applicants, so 430–570 SAT Math is target range and below 430 is a reach. Then check the $31,027 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Johnson & Wales?
Johnson & Wales accepts about 88% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Johnson & Wales a public or private school, and where is it located?
Johnson & Wales is a private nonprofit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island.
What are the most popular majors at Johnson & Wales?
The largest undergraduate majors at Johnson & Wales by annual graduates are Culinary Arts and Related Services, Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services and Hospitality Administration/Management. The school awards about 663 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Johnson & Wales safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Johnson & Wales reported 21 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Johnson & Wales University-Providence, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers