
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university with campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The university was founded in 1914 as a business school by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales and has since expanded to offer a wide range of degree programs. JWU has experienced significant growth over the years, and the number of students enrolled at the university has fluctuated. So, how many students does Johnson & Wales University have currently, and how has this changed over time?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1914 |
| Type of institution | Private |
| Number of students | 7,357 (as of fall 2020) |
| Number of graduate students | More than 8,000 (as of 2021) |
| Number of undergraduate students | 3,952 (as of fall 2023) |
| Number of borrowers in 2020 | 4,498 |
| Median undergraduate tuition in 2023 | $39,792 |
| Number of students who received degrees in 2023 | 370 more women than men |
| Most common race/ethnicity group | White (786 degrees awarded) |
| Most common Associates Degree concentration | Baking & Pastry Arts (133 degrees awarded) |
| Number of students living, working, and playing at the flagship campus | More than 4,300 |
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What You'll Learn

Johnson & Wales University had 7,357 students across its campuses in 2020
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university with its main campus in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded as a business school in 1914 by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales, with just one student. JWU enrolled 7,357 students across its campuses in 2020. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
JWU has expanded significantly since its founding, now offering a wide range of degree programs. By 2016, the university had 16,000 students and more than 2,400 employees across campuses in four cities. The university shut down its Denver and North Miami campuses at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
JWU's flagship campus in Providence has over 4,300 students and offers a variety of clubs, organizations, social events, and 14 different varsity sports competing at the NCAA III level. The university's athletic facilities, known as the Wildcat Centers, are fully renovated and comply with NAIA and NCAA regulations. The Providence campus also has a subsidiary campus that houses JWU's culinary and graduate programs.
The university's other campuses include Charlotte, North Carolina, and formerly Denver and North Miami. The Charlotte campus has an athletic facility that is home to the university's athletic program and previously hosted the ABA's Colorado Storm in 2004. The Denver campus also had a Wildcat Center, located in the northwest part of the campus.
JWU is divided into five schools that offer over 40 undergraduate degrees and graduate programs in various fields, including business, culinary arts, arts and sciences, nutrition, education, hospitality, physician assistant studies, engineering, and design. The university's renowned culinary programs have earned top spots in rankings by College Factual and NICHE.
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The Providence campus had 3,952 undergraduate students in 2023
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university with its main campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The university was founded as a business school in 1914 by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary Wales. The Providence campus had 3,952 undergraduate students in 2023.
The Providence campus is the founding campus of JWU, and it offers the university's business, hospitality, and technology programs. The campus is 138 acres in size and is located in the middle of Providence, Rhode Island. The city is described as vibrant, with incredible food, a thriving arts and music scene, professional sports, and access to 400 miles of coastline. The campus offers clubs, organizations, social events, and 14 different varsity sports competing at the NCAA III level.
JWU's renowned culinary programs are offered at both the Providence and Charlotte campuses. The Providence campus's gym is called the Wildcat Center, which is also the name of the athletic facility at the Charlotte campus. The Providence campus's gym was previously called the Harborside Recreation Center. The Wildcat is the official mascot of JWU, and the mascot suit is worn by multiple students at home games, alumni events, and other special events.
In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at the Providence campus was $39,792, which was $15,217 more than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities. 98% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 74% received financial aid through loans. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (786 degrees awarded), followed by Hispanic or Latino (162 degrees). The most common Associates Degree concentration was Baking & Pastry Arts (133 degrees awarded), followed by Culinary Arts & Chef Training (109 degrees).
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The university had 16,000 students across four cities in 2016
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university founded in 1914 as a business school by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales. The main campus is in Providence, Rhode Island, with additional campuses in Charlotte, North Carolina, Denver, and North Miami. The university's teams across all campuses are called the Wildcats, and the official mascot is Willie T. Wildcat, who wears a costume designed by a student.
By 2016, JWU had expanded to four campuses and enrolled 16,000 students across these campuses, with more than 2,400 employees. The university offers a range of degree programs, including business, culinary arts, arts and sciences, nutrition, education, hospitality, physician assistant studies, engineering, and design. The Providence campus, the founding campus of the university, houses the business, hospitality, and technology programs, while the Harborside campus in Providence offers culinary and graduate programs. The Denver campus, now closed, was home to the athletic program and was located in the northwest part of the Johnson & Wales campus. The Wildcat Center athletic facility in Denver was NAIA and NCAA regulation size and seated over 600 people.
The university's Charlotte campus, in addition to its academic buildings, owns the Doubletree Hotel Charlotte-Gateway Village, which serves as a practical education facility for students enrolled in Hotel & Lodging Management, Food Service Management, and Culinary Arts degree programs. The Charlotte campus has also been recognised for its culinary arts programs, ranking #4 on College Factual's list of Best Culinary Arts Schools in 2025.
JWU has a strong focus on career development and experiential education, providing students with hands-on classes, industry connections, and faculty with years of experience. The university is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and offers over 40 undergraduate degrees, as well as graduate programs in physician assistant studies, education leadership, and more. The current president, Mim Runey, is the first woman to lead the university since its original founders.
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The flagship campus has over 4,300 students
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university with its main campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The university was founded in 1914 as a business school by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary T. Wales and has since expanded to include campuses in three other cities. JWU's flagship campus in Providence has over 4,300 students and offers a variety of clubs, organisations, social events, and 14 different varsity sports competing at the NCAA III level.
The university is divided into five schools that offer over 40 undergraduate degrees, as well as graduate programs in various fields. JWU's renowned culinary programs are offered at both the Providence and Charlotte campuses, with the Providence campus also housing the university's business, hospitality, and technology programs. The university's athletic facilities, known as the Wildcat Centers, are fully renovated and comply with NAIA and NCAA regulations. The Providence campus gym was renamed the Wildcat Center, joining the Denver campus as the only other campus with that name.
JWU's unique model provides students with personalised attention, academic expertise, and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The university is committed to delivering industry-responsive education and fostering a dynamic and supportive community, making it a top choice for students seeking a transformative education. JWU's impact is felt globally, with alumni in 128 countries pursuing diverse careers.
The Providence campus has a rich history, having moved locations multiple times since its founding to accommodate its growing student body. The campus size is now 138 acres, and the university owns additional properties in the city, such as the former Crown Hotel and Dreyfus Hotel, which have been integrated into the campus infrastructure. JWU's focus on experiential education and hands-on classes, combined with its industry connections, ensures that graduates are well-prepared for their chosen careers.
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The Providence campus had 4,498 borrowers in 2020
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a private university with its main campus in Providence, Rhode Island. The university was founded in 1914 as a business school by Gertrude I. Johnson and Mary Wales. In the fall of 2020, JWU had a total enrollment of 7,357 students across its campuses.
The Providence campus, in particular, is the founding campus of the university. It offers JWU's business, hospitality, and technology programs. The campus also houses the Wildcat Center, the athletic facility of Johnson & Wales University. In 2023, the Providence campus had a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,952 students. The campus size spans 138 acres, and the university as a whole has more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate, and online students.
The Providence campus has a diverse student body. In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (786 degrees awarded), followed by Hispanic or Latino (162 degrees). The campus also has a significant number of American Indian or Alaska Native students, with a 100% graduation rate for this demographic in 2023. The campus offers a range of degree programs, with the most common Associates Degree concentrations being Baking & Pastry Arts (133 degrees) and Culinary Arts & Chef Training (109 degrees).
With its long history, dedicated faculty, and diverse academic programs, Johnson & Wales University, including its Providence campus, continues to be a prominent educational institution in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Johnson and Wales University (JWU) is a private university with campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, and Charlotte, North Carolina. As of 2021, JWU has more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate, and online students across its campuses.
As of 2023, Johnson and Wales University-Providence has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,952 students. More than 4,300 students live, work and play at JWU’s flagship campus in Providence.
In the fall of 2020, JWU enrolled 7,357 students across its campuses.











































