Head-to-head comparison
Johnson & Wales University-Providence vs New England Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Option A Providence, RI
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
- Net price / year
- $31,027
- Earnings, 10 years
- $43,418
- Payback
- No payback
Option B East Greenwich, RI
New England Institute of Technology
- Net price / year
- $36,483
- Earnings, 10 years
- $48,684
- Payback
- 225.2 yrs
New England Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $72,966 in 225.2 years versus not at all at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, on median earnings of $48,684 vs $43,418 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Johnson & Wales University-Providence | New England Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,027 | $36,483 |
| Total net cost | $124,108 | $72,966 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,418 | $48,684 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $16,668 |
| Payback | — | 225.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$222,948 | -$66,486 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or New England Institute of Technology?
Johnson & Wales University-Providence, at $31,027 a year after aid versus $36,483 — a gap of $5,456 a year, or $51,142 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Johnson & Wales University-Providence or New England Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
New England Institute of Technology graduates report a median $48,684 ten years after entry, $5,266 more than the $43,418 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Johnson & Wales University-Providence or New England Institute of Technology?
New England Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $16,668 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Johnson & Wales University-Providence, a difference of $9,332. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
60% of students finish at New England Institute of Technology, against 55% at Johnson & Wales University-Providence. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.