Clark University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Should I go to Clark University or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clark University 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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Clark University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey comparison
Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey College 3 College 4
Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
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Overview

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Location Worcester, MA Wayne, NJ
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,124 9,426
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #153 #596
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarku.edu wpunj.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Tuition (In State) $54,760 $14,690
Tuition (Out of State) $54,760 $24,004
Room & Board $11,690 $15,990
Avg Net Price $32,767 $16,999
Avg Grant Aid $31,916 $13,984
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 83%

Admission

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,730 7,754
Admitted 4,471 7,174
Acceptance Rate 41.7% 92.5%
Enrolled % 14.1% 12.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 2.97
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Very High Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 30/33
SAT Range 1240/1400 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, 2026 Jun 1, 2026

Academics

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Graduation Rate 80% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,100 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $253

Diversity

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
% Men 23% 7%
% Women 20% 24%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 43%
% Black 4% 16%
% Hispanic 7% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 15% 0%
% Unknown Race 8% 3%

Students

Clark University William Paterson University of New Jersey
% In-State 36% 89%
% Out-of-State 60% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than than Clark University based on total student enrollment (9,426 students vs. 4,124 students)

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

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

  • Clark University is 272.8% more expensive to attend than William Paterson University of New Jersey for in-state tuition ($54,760.00 vs. $14,690.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 128.1% higher at Clark University than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($54,760.00 vs. $24,004.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Paterson University of New Jersey than Clark University ($16,999 vs. $32,767)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark University are 36.8% lower than costs at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($11,690 vs. $15,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark University than William Paterson University of New Jersey (97% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark University students is 128.2% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($31,916 vs. $13,984)

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

Which college is harder to get into, Clark University 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 Clark University .

  • Accepted freshman Clark University students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Clark University (41.7%)

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

Which is better, Clark University 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 Clark University.

  • The graduation rate at Clark University is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (80% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Clark University earn on average $3,600 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $46,500)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clark University graduates. ($24,500 vs. $27,000)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Clark University graduates. ($253 vs. $279)
  • More Clark University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 59%)

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