Johnson & Wales, a career-oriented university, has four locations: Rhode Island, North Carolina, Florida, and Colorado. Former locations in Virginia and South Carolina were consolidated with the opening of the Charlotte, NC campus in 2004.

The first and largest campus, in Providence, was established in 1914 and currently enrolls nearly 10,000 students. JWU's Providence Campus is the site for the School of Technology. At the School of Technology, the following degrees and degree programs are offered:

Associate Degree -

• Computer Graphics & New Media
• Computer Programming
• Computerized Drafting
• Computing Technology Services
• Website Development

Bachelor's Degree -

• Computer Graphics & New Media
• Web Management & Internet Commerce
• Information Science
• Engineering Design & Configuration Management
• Computer Graphics & New Media
• Information Science
• Web Management & Internet Commerce
• Electronics Engineering
• Network Engineering

JWU's School of Technology also has an Immersive Media Lab.

The Immersive Media Lab is a research group that examines applications of emerging media technologies to education and business.

The Alan Shawn Feinstein Technology & Design Center, opened summer 2007, provides design and web development services to local non-profits, benefiting both the community and students with real world project experience.

The Providence Campus is also the location for the Larry Friedman International Center for Entrepreneurship. JWU students can earn either associates or bachelor's degrees in Entrepreneurship.

The Larry Friedman International Center for Entrepreneurship includes a small business incubator and a professional development program.

In July 2006, the US Small Business Administration transferred leadership and management of the RI Small Business Development Center from Bryant University to Johnson and Wales University.

JWU is affiliated with YearUp, a technical skills training program for urban young adults 18-24.

Students at JWU can join many extracurricular clubs and organizations including the National Student Organizations (NSO). NSO members are granted national memberships to Business Professionals of America (BPA), Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX), Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National FFA, Junior Achievement (JA), SkillsUSA and Technology Students Association (TSA). Instead of chapter meetings, NSO is organized into four divisions, each offering professional advisers and practical skills:

• Communications Association - members promote NSO through the NSO website, electronic newsletters, and other public relations activities
• Leadership Academy
• Competitive Events Institute - training and sponsorship to competitions in fields including entrepreneurship and web site development.
• Community Action Association - networking and leadership skills through community service; the 2007 CAA Global Outreach program included the creation of a SecondLife virtual "Morocco".

Another student organization within JWU, SofT ICE (the School of Technology Industry Career Explorers), promotes career development for technology students.

The Digital Imaging Trek is a study abroad option through the International Center and the School of Technology.

The Digital Trek is an intensive four week travel and study opportunity to world capitals such as Paris and London. During the Trek, students learn the practice of digital photography, digital videography, digital content creation and creative asset exhibition through digital channels such as the trek web site.