Princeton vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ 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 Princeton based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton 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: Princeton University 5:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Princeton vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton ($13,509 vs. $15,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 19.8% lower than at Princeton University ($16,240 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 299.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $46,984 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.3% higher at Princeton than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $37,344 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Princeton University (86% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 357% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($68,727 vs. $15,040).

Princeton vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 380 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) 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 Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $67,400 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($7,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $176 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($77 vs. $253).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.