Where Bold Beginnings Lead to Bright Futures
At Johnson & Wales, we’ve been trailblazers since day one.
In 1914, Mary Wales and Gertrude Jonhson founded JWU — at a time when women didn’t have the right to vote — to prepare students for the workforce. That spirit of bold thinking, innovation and opportunity still drives us today.
While JWU started as a business school, we are now known around the world for our culinary and hospitality education. Today, we’re just as proud of how we’ve expanded — offering innovative programs in arts and sciences, business, food innovation, hospitality, health and wellness.
Across our campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, and Charlotte, North Carolina — as well as through online programs — JWU serves more than 8,000 students pursuing associate, bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Students benefit from faculty expertise, personal attention and strong connections with industry.
Education is about doing, and at Johnson & Wales, we’ve been perfecting our approach to experiential education for more than 110 years. We believe students learn best when they apply what they’re taught — whether that’s through hands-on projects, labs outfitted with industry-standard equipment, internships or project-based work with partner companies.
Our unique approach to education blends academic study with real-world experience rooted in a strong educational foundation. JWU graduates are uniquely prepared to lead innovation as workplace demands evolve in our modern society. JWU alumni pursue a range of career paths and entrepreneurial ventures, working in 130 countries.
Facts & Rankings
JWU’s success isn’t just about numbers — it’s about impact. These accolades affirm the strength of the university’s academic offerings and our role in preparing graduates for meaningful careers. With our innovative spirit and focus on real-world learning, JWU remains a top choice for students seeking a transformative education.
Mission & Guiding Principles
Johnson & Wales University, an exceptional education that inspires professional success and lifelong personal and intellectual growth.
In support of our mission and recognizing the importance of preserving our distinctive student-centered culture, Johnson & Wales is guided by the following principles:
- Undertake continuous improvement and planning for a sustainable future.
- Foster an evidence-based teaching and learning environment.
- Support faculty scholarship to advance our status as a comprehensive university.
- Maximize student potential by further enriching our academic programs with experiential and work-integrated learning.
- Value our faculty and staff.
- Embrace diversity for a richly inclusive community.
- Practice ethical citizenship in all aspects of university life.
- Act as a good steward of our resources to support the needs of our students, faculty and staff.
University Essential Learning Outcomes
Professional Competence
Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to succeed in their chosen profession.
Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for lifelong learning, including competence in communication, critical and creative thinking, quantitative and scientific reasoning, and the ability to evaluate, integrate, and apply knowledge from multiple perspectives when making decisions and solving problems.
Global and Community Citizenship
Graduates will demonstrate the necessary skills, including an awareness of ethical responsibility and cultural/ global diversity, to live and work collaboratively as contributing members of society.
