Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 12,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its four campuses in Providence, Rhode Island; North Miami, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and Charlotte, North Carolina.*
An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health, and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics, and design. JWU’s unique model provides students with personalized attention, academic expertise, and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings, and economic mobility rankings.
Unique Educational Model
Just about every college is talking about experiential education. That’s because it works. At Johnson & Wales, we’ve been perfecting this approach for more than 100 years.
We offer an optimal blend of intellectual development, industry-focused education, résumé-building work experiences, community and leadership opportunities, and an uncommon depth of career services.
At Johnson & Wales, the experience is the difference. This means that experiential learning is much more than an internship tacked onto a major. It’s woven into all aspects of our education, in and out of the classroom. You won’t just learn theory. You’ll turn it into real-world practice. You’ll work on real-world projects in class, in our industry-specific learning labs, and sometimes with real companies.
This approach is a more effective way to learn. Through these experiences, you’ll be uniquely prepared for shifting industries and have the flexibility to pursue other career paths and entrepreneurial ventures.
Upward Mobility
Starting from their family’s income quintile prior to enrollment, nearly 20 percent of JWU alumni moved up two or more income quintiles in the U.S. Nearly two percent moved from the bottom income quintile to the top, much higher than the average for selective private colleges nationwide and among all Rhode Island colleges. (Source: “Economic Diversity and Students Outcomes at Johnson & Wales University.” The New York Times. January 18, 2017.)
Accreditation
JWU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE). The nation’s oldest regional accrediting association, NECHE accredits educational institutions internationally. This accreditation encompasses the university’s four campuses.
Johnson & Wales University's 2021 Rankings
Johnson & Wales University is ranked #96 in Regional Universities North. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
- #96 in Regional Universities North (tie)
- #16 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
- #80 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
