Fashion Merchandising & Retailing (BS)

About Us

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,100 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design.

JWU’s unique model provides students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at JWU is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings.

The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 128 countries pursuing careers worldwide.

Unique Educational Model

Just about every college is talking about experiential education. That’s because it works. At Johnson & Wales, we’ve been perfecting this approach for more than 100 years.

We offer an optimal blend of intellectual development, industry-focused education, résumé-building work experiences, community and leadership opportunities, and an uncommon depth of career services.

At Johnson & Wales, experience is the difference. This means that experiential learning is much more than an internship tacked onto a major. It’s woven into all aspects of our education, in and out of the classroom. You won’t just learn theory. You’ll turn it into real world practice. You’ll work on real world projects in class, in our industry specific learning labs, and sometimes with real companies.

This approach is a more effective way to learn. Through these experiences, you’ll be uniquely prepared for shifting industries and have the flexibility to pursue other career paths and entrepreneurial ventures.

Rankings

The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education has listed JWU on its 2022 College Rankings, which focuses on students’ engagement with studies, interaction with teachers and satisfaction with educational experience.

U.S. News & World Report ranked JWU in the 2022 Top Performers on Social Mobility, which measures how well schools graduated students who received Pell Grants, given to students from households with annual incomes of less than $50,000.

Money Magazine also ranked JWU among its Best Colleges for 2020-21 by its value, quality of education, affordability and outcomes including graduates’ earnings, employment status, career trajectory and socioeconomic mobility.

JWU Charlotte has ranked #3 in CEOWorld Magazine’s 2023 list of the “Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools In The World.”

Accreditation

JWU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE). The nation’s oldest regional accrediting association, NECHE accredits educational institutions internationally. This accreditation encompasses the university’s two campuses.

Fact Sheets

These university and campus fact sheets provide a quick summary of Johnson & Wales University’s mission, strategic plan and key facts and numbers relevant to the entire JWU community.