Fairfield University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT 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 Fairfield University based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 6,864 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Fairfield 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: Fairfield University 12:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield 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 Fairfield University ($13,509 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 18.1% lower than at Fairfield University ($16,240 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 271.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $42,646 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.2% higher at Fairfield University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $33,006 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fairfield University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (96% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fairfield University students is 74.7% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($26,274 vs. $15,040).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fairfield University (1330) is 160 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fairfield University students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) 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 Fairfield University (33.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield 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).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.