Charlotte, NC · Private University
Is Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$43,418
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$40,408
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,408
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$161,632
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.07x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
19.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
52.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$28,901
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates earn $1,582 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte ranked by graduate earnings
56 graduates
102 graduates
333 graduates
164 graduates
306 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $62,088) and the lowest (Communication and Media Studies: $28,062) is $34,026/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $62,088 | 1.5x |
| Marketing | $49,290 | 1.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,362 | 1.2x |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $43,692 | 1.1x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $43,253 | 1.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $43,064 | 1.1x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $39,502 | 1.0x |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | $39,083 | 1.0x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $38,456 | 0.9x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $37,900 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $37,266 | 0.9x |
| Communication and Media StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $28,062 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $43,418 10 years after starting, $1,582 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 19.2 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.