Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,775/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk Low (20% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #9 of 12 Culinary Arts and Related Services programs

Program Analysis

Johnson & Wales is a powerhouse name in the hospitality world, and that reputation is the engine behind your career prospects. The school’s deep industry connections, particularly throughout the Northeast, create a direct recruiting pipeline that simply doesn't exist for most culinary programs. You won’t just be learning knife skills; you'll be networking from day one with a vast alumni base and major employers like Marriott, Compass Group, and top-tier restaurant groups who specifically seek out JWU grads. While initial salaries often reflect the demanding nature of kitchen work, the program is designed to fast-track you into management, R&D, or food science roles where earning potential grows significantly. Your key to maximizing this degree is to aggressively pursue internships. The practical experience you gain in a real-world setting is what will truly differentiate you at graduation.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Culinary Arts graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $455K $455K $431K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.8x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 42% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$161,632
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,912
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,083
19% growth from Year 1

About Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Johnson & Wales University-Providence accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 3,913 students in Providence, RI.

See all programs and financial aid at Johnson & Wales University-Providence →

Top Career Paths

Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Food service managers $65,310/yr
View all 13 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
A score of 36/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Culinary Arts. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →