George Washington vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

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

George Washington University is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 9,942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• George Washington 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: George Washington University 13:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

George Washington vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($13,509 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 4% lower than at George Washington University ($16,240 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 331.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $52,006 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.2% higher at George Washington than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $42,366 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at George Washington University (86% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 149.3% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($37,500 vs. $15,040).

George Washington vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 260 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.84 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) 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 George Washington (47.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

George Washington vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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).

• George Washington University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $34,000 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $462 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($24,500 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More George Washington 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.