Rider University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

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

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Rider University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey comparison
Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey College 3 College 4
Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
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Overview

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Location Lawrenceville, NJ Wayne, NJ
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 4,054 9,070
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #263 #557
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rider.edu wpunj.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Tuition (In State) $36,000 $14,192
Tuition (Out of State) $36,000 $23,192
Room & Board $16,130 $13,160
Avg Net Price $26,388 $12,967
Avg Grant Aid $26,336 $10,919
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,340 7,062
Admitted 7,858 6,464
Acceptance Rate 84.1% 91.5%
Enrolled % 9.9% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 2.97
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/29
SAT Range 1100/1300 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 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Graduation Rate 63% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,000 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $266 $253

Diversity

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
% Men 41% 35%
% Women 59% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 62% 43%
% Black 12% 16%
% Hispanic 12% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Rider University William Paterson University of New Jersey
% In-State 74% 92%
% Out-of-State 23% 6%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than than Rider University based on total student enrollment (9,070 students vs. 4,054 students)

Rider University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

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

  • Rider University is 153.7% more expensive to attend than William Paterson University of New Jersey for in-state tuition ($36,000.00 vs. $14,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.2% higher at Rider University than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($36,000.00 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 Rider University ($12,967 vs. $26,388)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 22.6% lower than costs at Rider University ($13,160 vs. $16,130)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Rider University than William Paterson University of New Jersey (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 141.2% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($26,336 vs. $10,919)

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

Which college is harder to get into, Rider University 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 Rider University .

  • The average SAT score at Rider University (1014) is 24 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (990)
  • Accepted freshman Rider University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) 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 Rider University (84.1%)

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

Which is better, Rider University 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 Rider University.

  • The graduation rate at Rider University is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (63% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Rider University earn on average $6,500 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates after ten years. ($53,000 vs. $46,500)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Rider University graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,750)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Rider University graduates. ($253 vs. $266)
  • More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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