Brown University vs Johnson & Wales University-Providence: which has better ROI?
Brown University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $100,736 in 2.2 years versus not at all at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, on median earnings of $93,487 vs $43,418 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Brown University | Johnson & Wales University-Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,184 | $31,027 |
| Total net cost | $100,736 | $124,108 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $93,487 | $43,418 |
| Median debt | $11,428 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $801,804 | -$222,948 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Brown University or Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
Brown University, at $25,184 a year after aid versus $31,027 — a gap of $5,843 a year, or $23,372 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Brown University or Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates report a median $93,487 ten years after entry, $50,069 more than the $43,418 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Brown University or Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
Brown University: its completers carry a median $11,428 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, a difference of $14,572. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
96% of students finish at Brown University, against 55% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.