MHC vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, 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 MHC based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Holyoke 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: Mount Holyoke College 9:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

MHC vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MHC 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 MHC ($13,509 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 17.5% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($16,240 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 326.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $51,314 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.4% higher at MHC than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $41,674 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Mount Holyoke College (86% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 248.5% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($52,418 vs. $15,040).

MHC vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MHC 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 MHC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 290 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MHC - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MHC Jan 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman MHC students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) 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 MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.2% at MHC vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for MHC 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).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Mount Holyoke College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $3,294 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($21,206 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($219 vs. $253).
• More MHC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.