Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. URI

Deciding between Johnson & Wales University Providence and University of Rhode Island? 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
University of Rhode Island

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI
  • URI Kingston, RI
  • Setting
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Midsize City
  • URI Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 4,303
  • URI 17,210
  • Type
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Private 4 Year
  • URI Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence #683
  • URI #425
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence -
  • URI -
  • Status
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Non-profit
  • URI Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
  • URI
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $42,419
  • URI $16,942
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $42,419
  • URI $37,146
  • Room & Board
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $19,800
  • URI $15,607
  • Average Net Price
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $32,057
  • URI $24,118
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $28,361
  • URI $12,578
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 100%
  • URI 96%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 7,828
  • URI 26,987
  • Admitted
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 6,921
  • URI 19,475
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 88.4%
  • URI 72.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 15.8%
  • URI 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 1030
  • URI 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 24
  • URI
  • Average High School GPA
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence -
  • URI 3.58
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence -
  • URI A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Easy
  • URI Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
  • URI Low
  • ACT Range
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 22/27
  • URI
  • SAT Range
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 890/1160
  • URI 1020/1280
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence Test optional
  • URI Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence
  • URI Feb 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 14:1
  • URI 17:1
  • 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%)
  • URI
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Engineering (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 51%
  • URI 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $40,100
  • URI $56,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 66%
  • URI 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $26,900
  • URI $23,438
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence $278
  • URI $242
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 36%
  • URI 41%
  • % Women
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 64%
  • URI 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence High
  • URI Low
  • HBCU
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence No
  • URI No
  • % White
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 57%
  • URI 71%
  • % Asian
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 1%
  • URI 3%
  • % Black
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 12%
  • URI 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 11%
  • URI 9%
  • % Native American
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 0%
  • URI 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 0%
  • URI 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 8%
  • URI 3%
  • % International
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 8%
  • URI 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 4%
  • URI 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 15%
  • URI 42%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence 84%
  • URI 57%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson & Wales University Providence in Providence, RI with University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rhode Island is larger than Johnson & Wales University-Providence based on total student enrollment (17,210 students vs. 4,303 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Johnson & Wales University Providence is located in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting); University of Rhode Island is in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Johnson & Wales University Providence is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rhode Island is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson & Wales University Providence 14:1; University of Rhode Island 17:1.

Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. URI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or URI? 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 University of Rhode Island than Johnson & Wales University-Providence ($24,118 vs. $32,057).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rhode Island are 21.2% lower than at Johnson & Wales University Providence ($15,607 vs. $19,800).
  • Johnson & Wales University Providence is 150.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than URI (about $25,477 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $16,942.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Johnson & Wales University-Providence than at University of Rhode Island (about $5,273 more per year; $42,419.00 vs. $37,146.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnson & Wales University Providence than at University of Rhode Island (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson & Wales University Providence students is 125.5% larger than aid received by University of Rhode Island students ($28,361 vs. $12,578).

Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. URI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or URI? 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 URI and Johnson & Wales University-Providence.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rhode Island (1150) is 120 points higher than at Johnson & Wales University-Providence (1030).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson & Wales University Providence 890/1160; University of Rhode Island 1020/1280.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson & Wales University Providence 22/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Johnson & Wales University-Providence - Test optional; URI - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: URI Feb 1, 2027.
  • Johnson & Wales University-Providence has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than URI (72.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs. 15.4% at URI.

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

How do outcomes compare for Johnson & Wales University-Providence and URI? 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).

  • University of Rhode Island's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Johnson & Wales University Providence's (51%).
  • Graduates from University of Rhode Island earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Rhode Island graduates have a $3,462 lower median loan debt than Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates ($23,438 vs. $26,900).
  • Among borrowers, URI graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates ($242 vs. $278).
  • More URI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johnson & Wales University-Providence students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.