Head to head
Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs University of Rhode Island
Johnson & Wales University-Providence (Providence, RI) and University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI) compared on cost, admissions, size, and outcomes, using each college’s own federal reporting. Every comparison below is drawn from figures both colleges report — where only one reports a number, no comparison is made.
Side-by-side comparison
| Measure | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | University of Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Providence, RI | Kingston, RI |
| Institution type | University | University |
| Public or private | Private | Public |
| Campus setting | Urban | Suburban |
| Published in-state tuitionSticker price before aid | $42,419 | $16,942 |
| Published out-of-state tuition | $42,419 | $37,146 |
| Average net priceAverage paid after grants and scholarships | $31,027 | $21,440 |
| Acceptance rate | 88% | 72% |
| SAT range (middle 50%) | 970–1230 | 1030–1270 |
| Total enrollment | 4,333 | 16,503 |
| Graduation rate | 55% | 73% |
| First-year retention | 82% | 84% |
What the numbers show
- University of Rhode Island has the lower published in-state tuition ($16,942 vs $42,419 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence).
- University of Rhode Island has the lower published out-of-state tuition ($37,146 vs $42,419 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence).
- University of Rhode Island has the lower average net price after aid ($21,440 vs $31,027 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence).
- University of Rhode Island has the higher graduation rate (73% vs 55% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence).
- University of Rhode Island has the lower acceptance rate (72% vs 88% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence).
- University of Rhode Island has the larger student body (16,503 students vs 4,333 students at Johnson & Wales University-Providence).
How to read this comparison
Every statement above is a direct comparison of two reported figures, and appears only when bothcolleges report that measure. Where one reports and the other does not, the row shows “Not reported” and no conclusion is drawn — a data gap is not a finding.
CampusPin does not rank these colleges or declare a winner. A lower acceptance rate is not a quality score, a higher graduation rate partly reflects who a college admits, and published tuition is not what most students pay. Which college is better depends on your program, your finances, and your circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or University of Rhode Island?
- University of Rhode Island has the lower published in-state tuition: $16,942 versus $42,419. After grants and scholarships, average net price is $31,027 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence and $21,440 at University of Rhode Island — net price is the better basis for a cost comparison.
- Is Johnson & Wales University-Providence or University of Rhode Island harder to get into?
- University of Rhode Island has the lower acceptance rate — 72% versus 88%. A lower acceptance rate means more applicants per seat; it is not by itself a measure of academic quality or of your own chances.
- Which has the better graduation rate, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or University of Rhode Island?
- University of Rhode Island reports the higher graduation rate: 73% versus 55%. Graduation rates reflect the students a college enrolls as well as the support it provides, so read them alongside admissions selectivity.
Related comparisons
Keep going on CampusPin
Narrow this list with the full filter set, or put any two colleges side by side.
Data sources & methodology
Figures for Johnson & Wales University-Providence and University of Rhode Island come from federal datasets and each institution's own reporting.
Sources used across this page
Not every source informs every figure. Each data point draws on the source appropriate to it see the relevant section and the data dictionary for field-level provenance.
IPEDS / NCES College Navigator
Federal enrollment, admissions, tuition, retention, and program data. Released annually with a 1–2 year lag.
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Net price by income band, post-graduation earnings, and federal aid context.
Clery Act campus security reports
Annual campus security and fire-safety disclosures required of U.S. institutions.
Institutional websites
Each school's official admissions, registrar, and financial-aid pages are the authoritative source for current details.
Where a value is unavailable it is shown as unavailable, never as 0, free, or a negative judgment. Always confirm final details with the institution before applying.
Suggested citation
CampusPin. Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs University of Rhode Island. Retrieved from https://campuspin.com/compare/johnson-and-wales-university-providence-vs-university-of-rhode-island