Howard vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard 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.

Howard University is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 9,942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Howard vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 Howard ($13,509 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 6.2% lower than at Howard University ($16,240 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 128% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $20,106 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at Howard than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $10,466 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 41.4% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($21,262 vs. $15,040).

Howard vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is 40 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• 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 (90.1%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 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 Howard 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 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.