Emerson vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, 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 Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College 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: Emerson College 14:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Emerson vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($13,509 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 22.4% lower than at Emerson College ($16,240 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 263.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $41,352 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.1% higher at Emerson than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $31,712 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Emerson College (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 79.5% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($26,997 vs. $15,040).

Emerson vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 180 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) 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 Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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).

• Emerson College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Emerson College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($242 vs. $253).
• More Emerson 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.