Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Rhode Island vs Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Compare average net price ($6,513 at Community College of Rhode Island; $31,027 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence), ROI score (16.37 vs 3.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,659 vs $43,418), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Rhode Island; 88.4% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Community College of Rhode Island | Johnson & Wales University-Providence |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.37 ✓ | 3.50 |
| Avg net price | $6,513 ✓ | $31,027 |
| 4-year avg net price | $26,052 ✓ | $124,108 |
| In-state tuition | $5,550 | $42,419 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,834 | $42,419 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,659 | $43,418 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 88.4% |
| Graduation rate | 26.2% | 55.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59.3% | 82% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,920 ✓ | $26,000 |
| Enrollment | 11,171 | 3,868 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1050 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Community College of Rhode Island | Johnson & Wales University-Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,213 ✓ | $25,530 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,299 ✓ | $25,443 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,825 ✓ | $28,088 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,965 ✓ | $31,803 |
| Family income $110k+ | $8,152 ✓ | $35,464 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Community College of Rhode Island | Johnson & Wales University-Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 0.1% | 7.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.3% | 5.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.2% | 4.1% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.8% | 2.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 1.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.9% | 1.2% |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 0.1% | 2.5% |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 0.1% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Community College of Rhode Island reports the lower average net price by $24,514 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $98,056 difference over four years ($26,052 vs $124,108).
Johnson & Wales University-Providence reports $759 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($43,418 vs $42,659). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59.3% at Community College of Rhode Island and 82% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Median federal debt among completers is $10,920 vs $26,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Community College of Rhode Island vs Johnson & Wales University-Providence, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Community College of Rhode Island is cheaper — average net price $6,513 per year vs $31,027 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. The annual difference of $24,514 adds up to about $98,056 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Johnson & Wales University-Providence reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $43,418 vs $42,659 at Community College of Rhode Island. The gap in the federal data is $759. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.