Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Providence, RI · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Culinary Arts and Related Services

A 84% acceptance rate means Johnson & Wales University-Providence is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 3,913 students in Providence, RI.

Program Analysis

Johnson & Wales University-Providence's Culinary Arts graduates start at $27,514/yr — above the $23,994 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 4.8x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Culinary Arts's career paths, with 20% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $14,167 represents roughly 6 months of the $27,514 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #106 of 137 Culinary Arts programs, Johnson & Wales University-Providence falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $27,514 to $36,778 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Culinary Arts offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $27,514/yr (15% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (80% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (789,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$390K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
4.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 of 13
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$80,816
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,167
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,778
34% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Culinary Arts graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Food scientists and technologists $85,310 +6.5% 65%
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Food service managers $65,310 +6.4% 58%
Food scientists and technologists
$85,310
+6.5% growth 65% AI-proof
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
Food service managers
$65,310
+6.4% growth 58% AI-proof

View all 13 career paths with full salary data →

Culinary Arts Career Guide

Explore what Culinary Arts graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 137 programs nationwide.

Read the full Culinary Arts career guide →

Compare & Explore

Culinary Arts Overview

Culinary Arts at Other Schools

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 56/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
A score of 56/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Johnson & Wales University-Providence trails the majority of Culinary Arts programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Culinary Arts jobs?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 20% of Culinary Arts tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 13 of 13 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Culinary Arts program at Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Culinary Arts occupations, such as Baker (Bake Produce) and Baker (Hotel & Restaurant). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University-Providence?
The career paths mapped to Culinary Arts have roughly 789,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →