Head-to-head · 2026
Johnson & Wales University-Online vs Rhode Island School of Design
Compare average net price ($20,252 at Johnson & Wales University-Online; $50,507 at Rhode Island School of Design), ROI score (5.36 vs 3.37), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,418 vs $68,140), and admissions selectivity (91% acceptance at Johnson & Wales University-Online; 18.7% at Rhode Island School of Design) 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 | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 5.36 ✓ | 3.37 |
| Avg net price | $20,252 ✓ | $50,507 |
| 4-year avg net price | $81,008 ✓ | $202,028 |
| In-state tuition | $13,365 | $62,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,365 | $62,688 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,418 | $68,140 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 91% | 18.7% |
| Graduation rate | 0% | 88.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 52.2% | 95% ✓ |
| Median debt | $26,000 ✓ | $27,000 |
| Enrollment | 2,202 | 2,084 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1473 |
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 | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $19,916 ✓ | $29,135 |
| Family income $30–48k | $20,580 ✓ | $30,233 |
| Family income $48–75k | $19,319 ✓ | $25,872 |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $33,893 |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,364 ✓ | $64,493 |
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 | Rhode Island School of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 0.3% | 9.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Johnson & Wales University-Online reports the lower average net price by $30,255 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $121,020 difference over four years ($81,008 vs $202,028).
Rhode Island School of Design reports $24,722 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($68,140 vs $43,418). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 52.2% at Johnson & Wales University-Online and 95% at Rhode Island School of Design. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $27,000, respectively.
1 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 Rhode Island School of Design, 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 $50,507 at Rhode Island School of Design. The annual difference of $30,255 adds up to about $121,020 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Rhode Island School of Design reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $68,140 vs $43,418 at Johnson & Wales University-Online. The gap in the federal data is $24,722. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Rhode Island School of Design is more selective at 18.7% 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.