The 90- and 91-credit degrees in computer science, criminal justice and hospitality management maintain every required course and drop only outside electives, in response to climbing costs in higher education.
Providence, Rhode Island, United States, November 10, 2026 -- Students at Johnson & Wales University’s online campus, JWU Online, can earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science, criminal justice or hospitality management with 30 fewer credits than a traditional 120-credit degree, finishing in the equivalent of three years of full-time study instead of four.
Johnson & Wales University introduced the programs in Fall 2025 in response to rising college costs. The online campus is now enrolling three-year program students for its January 11, 2027 semester.
Average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year colleges reached $45,000 for 2025-26, up 4.0% from the year before, according to the College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2025 report. At public four-year schools, in-state tuition and fees averaged $11,950. Public colleges offering online degrees average $10,680, while private colleges offering online degrees average $16,260 per year, based on a 30-credit, full-time course load.
At JWU Online, the 30 fewer credits work out to about $14,850 in tuition, based on the current rate of $495 per credit. Additionally, graduates complete their degrees and get into the workforce or advance in their current positions one year faster.
“We have a long history of responding to the needs and demands of students and we are constantly thinking about how to deliver a high-quality education in a way that fits with what students and families want. We hear a couple of concerns fairly frequently; first a concern for cost — students want less of a financial burden,” said Mim L. Runey, LP.D., Chancellor of Johnson & Wales University.
“Secondly, we hear that students want to get into the workforce faster and to get practical experience. Through this degree, we have been careful to ensure that the practical experiential learning that is a hallmark of JWU education is integrated into this degree as well,” Runey continued.
The shorter path does not depend on heavier course loads. Students complete the same 42-credit Arts and Sciences Core Experience and the same major courses required in the four-year version of each degree. The difference comes from electives outside general education. Students also complete a Work-Integrated Learning requirement, which they can meet through a current job, military service, community service or earned certificates.
As of the Fall 2026 semester, JWU Online has 52 students enrolled in the computer science, criminal justice and hospitality management three-year programs.
“After more than 30 years in hospitality, when I decided to return to academics, JWU felt like the right place,” said George Stinson ’28, a hospitality management student. “The 90-credit hospitality management program and the reputation of the school really drew me in. I’d already completed undergrad credits and liked the idea of finishing in the shorter time frame, so it’s a great fit. From help with collecting transcripts to the outreach from academics, financial aid, and the Work-Integrated Learning advisors, I’ve felt attended to every step of the way.”
The university has accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education. The programs are eligible for federal financial aid like all other degrees. The three-year option is designed for students transferring 30 or fewer credits, and each degree is also offered in its traditional 120- or 121-credit format. More information is available here.
JWU Online is the online campus of Johnson & Wales University, a private university founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1914. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and certificates in fields including business, hospitality, criminal justice, health science, psychology and technology, with curricula developed in collaboration with employers. More information is available at online.jwu.edu.
About the company: JWU Online is the online campus of Johnson & Wales University, a private university founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1914. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and certificates in fields including business, hospitality, criminal justice, health science, psychology and technology, with curricula developed in collaboration with employers. More information is available at online.jwu.edu.
Contact Info:
Name: Rachel Nunes
Email: Send Email
Organization: JWU Online
Website: https://online.jwu.edu/
Release ID: 89209122
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