Howard vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Should I go to Howard University or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Howard 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Montclair State University Maryland Kean George Washington UMBC Spelman Penn State NCAT Hampton University Mason TU VCU
Howard University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey comparison
Howard University William Paterson University of New Jersey College 3 College 4
Howard University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
Location Washington, DC Wayne, NJ
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 12,886 9,070
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #318 #557
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website howard.edu wpunj.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
Tuition (In State) $30,584 $14,192
Tuition (Out of State) $30,584 $23,192
Room & Board $15,880 $13,160
Avg Net Price $28,279 $12,967
Avg Grant Aid $20,063 $10,919
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,188 7,062
Admitted 10,253 6,464
Acceptance Rate 53.4% 91.5%
Enrolled % 24.3% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 2.97
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 1050/1290 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 Feb 15, 2025 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Communication (20%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
Graduation Rate 63% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $253

Diversity

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
% Men 29% 35%
% Women 71% 65%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very High
HBCU Yes No
% White 2% 43%
% Black 91% 16%
% Hispanic 0% 27%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Howard William Paterson University of New Jersey
% In-State 1% 92%
% Out-of-State 91% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Howard University is larger than than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (12,886 students vs. 9,070 students)

Howard vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

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

  • Howard University is 115.5% more expensive to attend than William Paterson University of New Jersey for in-state tuition ($30,584.00 vs. $14,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.9% higher at Howard than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($30,584.00 vs. $23,192.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Paterson University of New Jersey than Howard ($12,967 vs. $28,279)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 20.7% lower than costs at Howard University ($13,160 vs. $15,880)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Howard University than William Paterson University of New Jersey (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 83.7% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($20,063 vs. $10,919)

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

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard .

  • The average SAT score at Howard University (1105) is 115 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (990)
  • Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Howard (53.4%)

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

Which is better, Howard 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 Howard.

  • The graduation rate at Howard is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (63% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Howard University earn on average $5,300 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $46,500)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Howard graduates. ($24,500 vs. $27,000)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Howard graduates. ($253 vs. $279)
  • More William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 33%)

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