Marketing at Johnson & Wales University-Online

Johnson & Wales University-Online's marketing program lands squarely in the middle tier of Rhode Island options, with first-year earnings of $41,544 trailing the state median by about $1,700. While that 40th percentile ranking among Rhode Island schools might seem underwhelming—especially compared to top performers like Providence College ($58,434) or Bryant University ($50,727)—the debt picture offers some relief. At $26,675, graduates carry essentially the state-average debt load, resulting in a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio that puts this program in the 21st percentile nationally for debt burden.

The 19% earnings growth over four years is respectable, pushing graduates to $49,290 by year four, which approaches the national 75th percentile benchmark. For an online program serving a student body where 36% receive Pell grants, this trajectory suggests decent mobility potential. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these numbers are reliable, not flukes.

The bottom line: This program won't catapult your child to the top of Rhode Island's marketing field, but it delivers predictable outcomes at a price point that won't bury them in debt. If they're considering the online format for flexibility or cost reasons, they're accepting a modest earnings discount compared to traditional programs like URI or Bryant—but they're not taking on crushing debt to get there. For students who need the online option, it's a reasonable path; for those who can attend traditional programs, Rhode Island has stronger options at comparable debt levels.