Grand Canyon University vs Johnson & Wales University-Online
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Grand Canyon University holds a 4-point ROI advantage over Johnson & Wales University-Online, scoring 25/100 versus 21/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Johnson & Wales University-Online comes in at $20,252 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,472 at Grand Canyon University - a difference of $2,220 annually, or roughly $8,880 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Johnson & Wales University-Online graduates earn a median of $43,418 compared to $42,186 at Grand Canyon University. The payback period is 32 years at Grand Canyon University versus 26.3 years at Johnson & Wales University-Online.
Graduates leave Grand Canyon University with a median $22,114 in debt versus $26,000 at Johnson & Wales University-Online. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.61 and 0.78 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Grand Canyon University | Johnson & Wales Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,850 | $13,365 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,850 | $13,365 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,472 | $20,252 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,888 | $81,008 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,000 | $33,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $42,186 | $43,418 |
| Graduation Rate | 43.5% | 0.0% |
| Payback Period | 32 yr | 26.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,114 | $26,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $234 | $276 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.61 | 0.78 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 64.8% | 80.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 35.9% | 69.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.9% | 91.0% |
| Enrollment | 73,371 | 2,202 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Grand Canyon Univers... | Johnson & Wales Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $18,557 | $19,916 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $18,763 | $20,580 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $21,712 | $19,319 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $24,471 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | $25,701 | $25,364 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Grand Canyon Univers... | Johnson & Wales Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,335 | $77,025 |
| Accounting | $67,067 | $73,476 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $72,124 | $73,152 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,828 | $59,186 |
| Marketing | $60,303 | $64,321 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,600 | $56,632 |
| Hospitality Administration | $49,703 | $55,790 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,622 | $51,247 |
| Entrepreneurship | $52,783 | $47,042 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Grand Canyon Univers... | Johnson & Wales Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 16 | 19 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 17 | 20 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 48 | 18 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 27 | 0 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 26 | 71 |
| Overall ROI Score | 25 | 21 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Grand Canyon University edges out Johnson & Wales University-Online by 4 points (25 vs 21), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Grand Canyon University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Johnson & Wales University-Online
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.