Foods, Nutrition, at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Bachelor's Degree
jwu.edu/campuses/charlotteAnalysis
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's nutrition program delivers solid value with notably low debt levels, making it a relatively safe investment in a field where many students struggle with high educational costs. With median debt of just $27,000 (5th percentile nationally), graduates avoid the crushing debt loads common in nutrition programs while earning competitively.
The earnings picture is encouraging within North Carolina context. While the $32,586 starting salary sits near the national median, it's significantly above North Carolina's median of $28,110 for nutrition programs, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. The 16% earnings growth to $37,900 by year four shows reasonable career progression. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 is manageable, meaning graduates can realistically handle their loan payments.
However, keep expectations realistic about overall earning potential. Even the top nutrition program in North Carolina (UNC Chapel Hill) shows lower starting salaries at $23,633, indicating this field generally doesn't lead to high-paying careers regardless of school choice. The good news is that Johnson & Wales achieves this performance while serving a diverse student body (52% receive Pell grants) and maintaining accessible admission standards.
For families concerned about educational debt, this program offers a practical path into nutrition careers without the financial burden that plagues many graduates in this field. The combination of reasonable earnings and low debt makes it a sensible choice for students committed to nutrition careers.
Where Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all foods, nutrition, bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | $32,586 | $37,900 | +16% |
| California State University-Chico | $31,673 | $61,970 | +96% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $25,414 | $58,692 | +131% |
| Syracuse University | $31,598 | $55,779 | +77% |
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | $25,076 | $55,230 | +120% |
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Foods, Nutrition, bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte | $40,408 | $32,586 | $37,900 | $27,000 | 0.83 |
 University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill | $8,989 | $23,633 | — | — | — |
| National Median | — | $32,286 | — | $25,256 | 0.78 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with foods, nutrition, graduates
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Food Service Managers
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Dietetic Technicians
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte, approximately 52% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 692 graduates with reported earnings and 764 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.