AU vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Should I go to American University or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AU or William Paterson University of New Jersey is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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American University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey comparison
American University William Paterson University of New Jersey College 3 College 4
American University William Paterson University of New Jersey
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Overview

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
Location Washington, DC Wayne, NJ
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,885 9,070
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #93 #557
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website american.edu wpunj.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
Tuition (In State) $53,070 $14,192
Tuition (Out of State) $53,070 $23,192
Room & Board $15,706 $13,160
Avg Net Price $41,369 $12,967
Avg Grant Aid $27,138 $10,919
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 95%

Admission

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,510 7,062
Admitted 7,926 6,464
Acceptance Rate 40.6% 91.5%
Enrolled % 22.2% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 2.97
Typical High School Grades A- B-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 29/32
SAT Range 1290/1430 990/1345
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (43%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
Graduation Rate 77% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 80% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $250 $253

Diversity

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
% Men 37% 35%
% Women 63% 65%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 43%
% Black 7% 16%
% Hispanic 12% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 7% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
% In-State 2% 92%
% Out-of-State 94% 6%

Campus

AU William Paterson University of New Jersey
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • American University is larger than than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (13,885 students vs. 9,070 students)

AU vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or William Paterson University of New Jersey?

  • American University is 273.9% more expensive to attend than William Paterson University of New Jersey for in-state tuition ($53,070.00 vs. $14,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 128.8% higher at AU than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($53,070.00 vs. $23,192.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Paterson University of New Jersey than AU ($12,967 vs. $41,369)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 19.3% lower than costs at American University ($13,160 vs. $15,706)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than American University (95% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 148.5% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($27,138 vs. $10,919)

AU vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between William Paterson University of New Jersey or AU .

  • The average SAT score at American University (1252) is 262 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (990)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than AU (40.6%)

AU vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AU or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between William Paterson University of New Jersey and AU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (77% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from American University earn on average $18,300 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $46,500)
  • American University students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates. ($24,250 vs. $24,500)
  • AU graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates. ($250 vs. $253)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/