Head-to-head · 2026
Johnson & Wales University-Online vs Providence College
Compare average net price ($20,252 at Johnson & Wales University-Online; $48,523 at Providence College), ROI score (5.36 vs 4.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,418 vs $87,054), and admissions selectivity (91% acceptance at Johnson & Wales University-Online; 50.9% at Providence College) 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 | Johnson & Wales University-Online | Providence College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 5.36 ✓ | 4.49 |
| Avg net price | $20,252 ✓ | $48,523 |
| 4-year avg net price | $81,008 ✓ | $194,092 |
| In-state tuition | $13,365 | $63,550 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,365 | $63,550 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,418 | $87,054 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 91% | 50.9% |
| Graduation rate | 0% | 85.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 52.2% | 94% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,000 ✓ | $27,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,202 | 4,229 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1346 |
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 | Johnson & Wales University-Online | Providence College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $19,916 ✓ | $28,152 |
| Family income $30–48k | $20,580 ✓ | $21,835 |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,319 ✓ | $25,296 |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $33,169 |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,364 ✓ | $56,699 |
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 | Johnson & Wales University-Online | Providence College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 24.5% | 13.6% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 4.9% | 13.9% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 9% | 0.2% |
| Marketing | 2.1% | 6.9% |
| Psychology, General | 1.1% | 6.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.7% | 4.5% |
| Political Science and Government | 0.1% | 4.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.1% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Johnson & Wales University-Online reports the lower average net price by $28,271 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $113,084 difference over four years ($81,008 vs $194,092).
Providence College reports $43,636 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($87,054 vs $43,418). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 52.2% at Johnson & Wales University-Online and 94% at Providence College. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $27,000, 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.
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Frequently asked
Johnson & Wales University-Online vs Providence College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Johnson & Wales University-Online is cheaper — average net price $20,252 per year vs $48,523 at Providence College. The annual difference of $28,271 adds up to about $113,084 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Providence College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $87,054 vs $43,418 at Johnson & Wales University-Online. The gap in the federal data is $43,636. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Providence College is more selective at 50.9% acceptance vs 91% at Johnson & Wales University-Online.
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.