Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. CSU

Deciding between Johnson & Wales University Providence and Charleston Southern University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Johnson & Wales University Providence
Charleston Southern University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI
  • CSU Charleston, SC
  • Setting
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Midsize City
  • CSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 4,303
  • CSU 3,832
  • Type
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Private 4 Year
  • CSU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence #683
  • CSU #952
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence -
  • CSU Baptist
  • Status
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Non-profit
  • CSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
  • CSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $42,419
  • CSU $32,520
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $42,419
  • CSU $32,520
  • Room & Board
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $19,800
  • CSU $12,200
  • Average Net Price
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $32,057
  • CSU $21,080
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $28,361
  • CSU $23,240
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 100%
  • CSU 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 7,828
  • CSU 4,660
  • Admitted
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 6,921
  • CSU 4,495
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 88.4%
  • CSU 96.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 15.8%
  • CSU 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 1030
  • CSU 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 24
  • CSU 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence -
  • CSU 3.24
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence -
  • CSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Easy
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
  • CSU
  • ACT Range
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 22/27
  • CSU 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 890/1160
  • CSU 930/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Test optional
  • CSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
  • CSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 14:1
  • CSU 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
    • Business (34%)
    • Personal and Culinary Services (34%)
    • Work and Family Studies (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • CSU
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Biology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 51%
  • CSU 38%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $40,100
  • CSU $39,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 66%
  • CSU 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $26,900
  • CSU $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $278
  • CSU $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 36%
  • CSU 37%
  • % Women
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 64%
  • CSU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence High
  • CSU Medium
  • HBCU
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence No
  • CSU No
  • % White
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 57%
  • CSU 61%
  • % Asian
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 1%
  • CSU 2%
  • % Black
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 12%
  • CSU 26%
  • % Hispanic
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 11%
  • CSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 0%
  • CSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 0%
  • CSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 8%
  • CSU 2%
  • % International
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 8%
  • CSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 4%
  • CSU 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 15%
  • CSU 71%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 84%
  • CSU 28%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Yes
  • CSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence No
  • CSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Yes
  • CSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Yes
  • CSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence No
  • CSU No
  • Learn More
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Details
  • CSU Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson & Wales University Providence in Providence, RI with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnson & Wales University Providence is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (4,303 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Johnson & Wales University Providence is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
  • Johnson & Wales University Providence is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson & Wales University Providence 14:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or CSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than Johnson & Wales University-Providence ($21,080 vs. $32,057).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Charleston Southern University are 38.4% lower than at Johnson & Wales University Providence ($12,200 vs. $19,800).
  • Johnson & Wales University Providence is 30.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $9,899 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $32,520.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.4% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Providence than at Charleston Southern University (about $9,899 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $32,520.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Providence than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Providence students is 22% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($28,361 vs. $23,240).

Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and Johnson & Wales University-Providence.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 20 points higher than at Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1030).
  • Incoming Johnson & Wales University-Providence students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at CSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson & Wales University Providence 890/1160; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson & Wales University Providence 22/27; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Johnson & Wales University-Providence - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Johnson & Wales University-Providence (88.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. 17.7% at CSU.

Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Johnson & Wales University-Providence and CSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Johnson & Wales University Providence's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
  • Graduates from Johnson & Wales University Providence earn a median of about $300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,100 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Johnson & Wales University Providence graduates have a $100 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($26,900 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($278 vs. $279).
  • More Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.