Providence College vs Johnson & Wales University-Providence: which has better ROI?
Providence College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $194,092 in 5 years versus not at all at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, on median earnings of $87,054 vs $43,418 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Providence College | Johnson & Wales University-Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $48,523 | $31,027 |
| Total net cost | $194,092 | $124,108 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $87,054 | $43,418 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $579,788 | -$222,948 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Providence College or Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
Johnson & Wales University-Providence, at $31,027 a year after aid versus $48,523 — a gap of $17,496 a year, or $69,984 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Providence College or Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates earn more?
Providence College graduates report a median $87,054 ten years after entry, $43,636 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, Providence College or Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
Johnson & Wales University-Providence: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Providence College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at Providence College, 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.