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Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Most applicants get into Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte — 79.9% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte sits in Charlotte proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
Its highest-earning path is Accounting and Related Services, where graduates median $73,476 four years out. Faculty pay averages $127,104 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 1,184 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 71.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 920 and 1140 — below the NC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
You can apply to Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 920 and 1140; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 460 | 520 | 600 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 490 | 540 |
| ACT Composite | 16 | 19 | 22 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte received 4,677 applications and admitted 3,521 (75.3%), with 432 enrolling.
How Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte compares
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | North Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 79.9% | 75.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $42,419 | $19,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $43,418 | $45,873 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's median earnings are $43,418 — below the North Carolina benchmark of $45,873. Weigh that against the $42,419 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte lists tuition at $42,419 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $42,419 as the ceiling, not the bill.
With 1,184 undergraduates, Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
49% graduate within six years. Roughly 51% don't — ask a Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,476 |
| Marketing | $64,321 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,186 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $56,241 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $55,790 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | $55,056 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $53,539 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,247 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $50,571 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $47,042 |
Median earnings for these 10 Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $43,418 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 7 additional Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 920–1140 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 79.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's acceptance rate?
75.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,521 admitted from 4,677 applicants.
How much does Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte cost?
At Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte, published tuition is $42,419 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $43,418 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Carolina
- Western Carolina University — 81.8% admitted
- Winston-Salem State University — 78.3% admitted
- Warren Wilson College — 71.3% admitted
- Shaw University — 80.2% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.