Rutgers vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Should I go to Rutgers University New Brunswick or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Rutgers 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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Rutgers University New Brunswick vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey comparison
Rutgers University New Brunswick William Paterson University of New Jersey College 3 College 4
Rutgers University New Brunswick William Paterson University of New Jersey
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Overview

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
Location New Brunswick, NJ Wayne, NJ
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 50,637 9,070
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #112 #557
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website rutgers.edu wpunj.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
Tuition (In State) $12,900 $14,192
Tuition (Out of State) $30,600 $23,192
Room & Board $13,909 $13,160
Avg Net Price $17,535 $12,967
Avg Grant Aid $12,785 $10,919
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 95%

Admission

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 41,654 7,062
Admitted 27,612 6,464
Acceptance Rate 66.3% 91.5%
Enrolled % 28.2% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 2.97
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 28/33
SAT Range 1270/1480 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

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
Graduation Rate 77% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $66,200 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 68% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,215 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $229 $253

Diversity

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
% Men 46% 35%
% Women 54% 65%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 42% 43%
% Black 7% 16%
% Hispanic 13% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Rutgers William Paterson University of New Jersey
% In-State 85% 92%
% Out-of-State 8% 6%

Campus

Rutgers 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 Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (50,637 students vs. 9,070 students)

Rutgers vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

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

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is 10% more expensive to attend than Rutgers for in-state tuition ($14,192.00 vs. $12,900.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.9% higher at Rutgers than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($30,600.00 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 Rutgers ($12,967 vs. $17,535)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 5.7% lower than costs at Rutgers University New Brunswick ($13,160 vs. $13,909)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than Rutgers University New Brunswick (95% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students is 17.1% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($12,785 vs. $10,919)

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

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers 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 Rutgers .

  • The average SAT score at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1225) is 235 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (990)
  • Accepted freshman Rutgers students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) 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 Rutgers (66.3%)

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

Which is better, Rutgers 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 Rutgers.

  • The graduation rate at Rutgers is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (77% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn on average $19,700 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates after ten years. ($66,200 vs. $46,500)
  • Rutgers University New Brunswick students graduate with a $2,285 lower median federal student loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates. ($22,215 vs. $24,500)
  • Rutgers graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates. ($229 vs. $253)
  • More Rutgers graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 59%)

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