Johnson & Wales University-Providence: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Providence, Rhode Island · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
88%
Avg SAT
1050
In-state tuition
$42,419
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$31,027
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 University-Providence is a private institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. For the most recent reporting cycle, Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 University-Providence?

Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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.

SAT and ACT scores Johnson & Wales University-Providence typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–570, with an EBRW midpoint near —. 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.

SAT Composite
25th percentile
50th percentile1050
75th percentile
ACT Composite
25th percentile22
50th percentile
75th percentile27

How much does Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 30% of students receive Pell Grants.

Average net price (after aid)$31,027

Application deadlines and early decision data for Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Regular admission

Most popular majors at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

The most popular undergraduate programs at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, 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 University-Providence 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

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Culinary Arts and Related Services159$39,083
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services142$41,943
Hospitality Administration/Management93$46,169
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management73$50,488
Criminal Justice and Corrections64$57,459
Business Administration, Management and Operations56$52,954
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations39$45,190
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations37$48,340
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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

Total offenses
21
5.4 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.26 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
15
3.88 per 1,000
Burglary
1
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 3,868 enrolled.

Other colleges in Rhode Island parents ask about

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Next steps for Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Common questions parents ask about Johnson & Wales University-Providence

What GPA do I need for Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 University-Providence typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–570, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–27.

How much does Johnson & Wales University-Providence actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 University-Providence realistic for my child?

Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 University-Providence?

Johnson & Wales University-Providence accepts about 88% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence a public or private school, and where is it located?

Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private nonprofit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island.

What are the most popular majors at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?

The largest undergraduate majors at Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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 University-Providence safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Johnson & Wales University-Providence 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