Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Providence, Rhode Island
83.7% Acceptance Rate
Johnson & Wales University-Providence — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
83.7%Acceptance Rate
1107Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$58,330Annual Cost
$43,418Grad Salary
30.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
83.7%
Avg SAT
1107
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
970–1230
ACT Middle 50%
20–26
Need-Based Aid
30.2% receive Pell
Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a private university in Rhode Island internationally recognized for its career-focused education. Integrating professional studies with the liberal arts, the university is a leader in fields such as hospitality, culinary arts, business, and technology, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of their respective industries.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Acceptance Rate
Johnson & Wales University-Providence runs an open-access admission policy. With a 83.7% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 83.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Johnson & Wales University-Providence follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 16 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 103 days left — Early Action I (non-binding)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Johnson & Wales University-Providence reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Early Action I (non-binding)
November 16
Spring Admission
December 1
Early Action II (non-binding)
January 4
Regular Admission (Fall)
March 1
Final Fall deadline
July 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Coincides with EA I deadline: 2025/11/16) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Johnson & Wales University-Providence's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Johnson & Wales University-Providence is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Johnson & Wales University-Providence Without SAT or ACT?
Johnson & Wales University-Providence considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Average SAT Score: 1107
The average SAT score of admitted students at Johnson & Wales University-Providence is 1107 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1107 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Johnson & Wales University-Providence allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 970, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 535 | 470 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 500 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1107 | 970 | 1230 |
Below 970, you're behind most admitted students; at 1230 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Johnson & Wales University-Providence with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Johnson & Wales University-Providence's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Johnson & Wales University-Providence is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT English | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 20 | 26 |
Can I get into Johnson & Wales University-Providence with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Johnson & Wales University-Providence's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Johnson & Wales University-Providence.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Johnson & Wales University-Providence takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Skip the required essay entirely if you want - JWU's optional 300-word "What brings you joy?" prompt is a genuine differentiator, not busywork
JWU requires no personal essay and no letter of recommendation for first-year admission, but offers an optional 300-word supplemental essay responding to "What brings you joy?" plus an optional digital portfolio (writing samples, creative work, competition photos/video). If you have something genuinely compelling - a competition entry, a published piece, a portfolio - submit it as a differentiator, but don't feel pressure to manufacture an essay you don't have material for; JWU's own framing treats both as purely additive, not baseline requirements.
If you're applying to Culinary Arts or another "technical standards" program, read that specific admissions contingency before you commit
JWU states plainly that "Admissions is contingent upon meeting the technical standards for this program" for Culinary Arts and related hands-on majors - this refers to physical/functional program-specific requirements (e.g., standing for extended kitchen service, handling kitchen equipment safely) distinct from general academic admission. Request the specific technical standards document for your target program from admissions before enrolling, since this is a real, documented admission condition, not boilerplate language.
Budget your academic calendar around trimesters and mandatory summer externships - JWU's schedule structure is fundamentally different from a typical two-semester college year
JWU runs on a trimester schedule with no standard summer break; culinary and hospitality students are expected to complete summer externships as a required part of the program, with the university assisting in placement. Plan any outside commitments (other jobs, family obligations, travel) around this structure from your first semester, since "summer off" isn't part of the standard JWU culinary/hospitality trajectory the way it is at most colleges.
Apply to the Honors Program only once you're tracking a 3.0 GPA - this is a real, separate-application academic distinction layered on top of general admission
JWU's Honors program requires an average 3.0 GPA to be considered, and applications are separately reviewed with students individually notified of status - it does not happen automatically upon general admission. If your high school GPA is borderline around 3.0, note that the Honors application is a distinct, additional step you'll need to actively pursue rather than expect by default.
Expert Insight:
Because JWU's culinary and hospitality reputation centers on hands-on, industry-connected training, applicants sometimes underweight the "technical standards" admissions language attached to specific programs, treating it as generic fine print. It is not - the trimester schedule, mandatory unpaid or low-paid summer externships, and program-specific physical/functional standards are structural realities that materially differ from a typical liberal-arts college experience, and students who haven't confirmed these specifics in advance are sometimes caught off guard by the externship requirement displacing what they assumed would be a normal summer break.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Profile
Full Name
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
City
Providence
State
Rhode Island
ZIP Code
02903-3703
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Johnson & Wales University-Providence Degree Worth It?
At $58,330/year against a $43,418 median graduate salary, Johnson & Wales University-Providence is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $68,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.39%.
How much does a degree from Johnson & Wales University-Providence Cost?
The sticker price is $58,330/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
30.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 73.5% take federal loans at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. File your FAFSA early and list Johnson & Wales University-Providence as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Johnson & Wales University-Providence Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $43,418. That's about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Johnson & Wales University-Providence. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Johnson & Wales University-Providence. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 1100 | 22 |
| Flagler College | Saint Augustine, FL | 1099 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Johnson & Wales University-Providence. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnson & Wales University-Providence Admissions
Median earnings for Johnson & Wales University-Providence graduates sit around $43,418 a year.
At about $58,330 a year, Johnson & Wales University-Providence's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
About 30.2% receive a Pell Grant at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 83.7%, Johnson & Wales University-Providence's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
A strong SAT score matters at Johnson & Wales University-Providence — aim above 1107, ideally within the 970–1230 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Johnson & Wales University-Providence is November 16 for Early Action I (non-binding) applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Coincides with EA I deadline: 2025/11/16. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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