Elms College vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA 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 Elms College based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Our Lady of the Elms is located in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms 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: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Elms College vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College 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 Elms College ($13,509 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 3.9% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($15,605 vs. $16,240).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 175.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $27,621 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at Elms College than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $17,981 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 124.7% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($33,794 vs. $15,040).

Elms College vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College 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 Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 70 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - 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 Elms College students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) 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 Elms College (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

Elms College vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from William Paterson University of New Jersey earn a median of about $200 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More Elms College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.