“A career-first private university in Providence renowned for culinary arts, hospitality, food innovation, and health sciences — built on learning by doing since 1914.”
Johnson & Wales University-Providence (JWU) is a private, career-focused institution founded in 1914 by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales as a business school in Providence, Rhode Island. Over more than a century, JWU has grown into one of the country's most distinctive universities, nationally recognized for its professional, experiential approach to education in culinary arts, hospitality, food science, business, health sciences, and the liberal arts. The Providence campus — JWU's flagship — enrolls approximately 3,900 students on a 176-acre urban campus in the heart of one of New England's most dynamic mid-sized cities, earning it a perennial spot in U.S. News rankings including #7 Most Innovative Schools nationally. JWU's academic identity is built around four colleges: the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Hospitality & Business, the College of Food Innovation & Technology, and the College of Health & Wellness. The College of Food Innovation & Technology encompasses the university's famous Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry programs, where students train in industry-grade teaching kitchens alongside professional-chef faculty. The College of Hospitality & Business prepares graduates for global careers in hotel management, event planning, tourism, and food service operations. The College of Health & Wellness offers competitive programs in nutrition, physician assistant studies, and exercise science. Across every college, JWU emphasizes hands-on learning, co-op and internship integration, and career placement from day one. Providence is the ideal backdrop for JWU's mission. Rhode Island's capital is known as 'The Creative Capital' and ranks among the best food cities in the U.S. — a natural home for a culinary university. Students have direct access to award-winning restaurants, a thriving hospitality industry, Fortune 500 companies in finance and healthcare, and the region's robust arts and cultural scene anchored by WaterFire and the RISD Museum. Boston is roughly one hour away, expanding internship, entertainment, and travel opportunities further. JWU's NCAA Division III Wildcats compete in the Commonwealth Nevin England conference, and 200-plus student clubs and organizations support a vibrant campus life for its diverse student community from more than 78 countries.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Regional Universities North
US News 2026
Most Innovative Schools (National)
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action I
Non-binding; Fall semester only
Early Action II
Non-binding; Fall semester only
Regular Decision
Rolling admissions through July 15 for Fall
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$41,982
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$43,368
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
JWU's signature college, training the next generation of culinary professionals and food scientists in industry-standard kitchen and lab facilities with chef-instructor faculty.
Integrating hospitality management and business disciplines to prepare students for leadership roles in hotels, events, tourism, food service operations, and entertainment.
Offering competitive professional programs in health sciences, combining clinical training with wellness and performance science.
Provides foundational liberal arts and sciences education, with standalone programs in psychology, criminal justice, computer graphics, and professional studies.
4 years
JWU's flagship program delivered in industry-grade teaching kitchens with chef-instructor faculty and integrated externship experience. Consistently among the most-enrolled programs in the nation for culinary education.
4 years
Comprehensive training in classical and modern pastry techniques, chocolate work, bread production, and dessert arts, with integration into JWU's food business and innovation curriculum.
4 years
Career-aligned hospitality management program with operations training, revenue management, and industry externships placing students in leading hotel brands across the U.S. and internationally.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $42,419
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
