Centenary University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ with William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Centenary University based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 1,398 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centenary University is located in Hackettstown, NJ (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Centenary University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centenary University 12:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Centenary University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centenary University or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Paterson University of New Jersey than Centenary University ($13,509 vs. $22,640).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centenary University are 22.7% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($12,552 vs. $16,240).
• Centenary University is 140.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $22,028 more per year; $37,732.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at Centenary University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $12,388 more per year; $37,732.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centenary University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Centenary University students is 96.9% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($29,617 vs. $15,040).

Centenary University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centenary University or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William Paterson University of New Jersey and Centenary University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170) is 90 points higher than at Centenary University (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary University 990/1170; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Centenary University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centenary University - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Centenary University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Centenary University (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Centenary University vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Centenary University and William Paterson University of New Jersey? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Centenary University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Centenary University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Centenary University graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centenary University graduates ($253 vs. $263).
• More Centenary University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.