Rutgers University-Newark vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Rutgers University Newark in Newark, NJ with William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University Newark is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (11,315 students vs. 9,942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University Newark is located in Newark, NJ (Large City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University Newark 14:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Rutgers University-Newark vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark ($13,509 vs. $18,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University Newark are 1% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($16,074 vs. $16,240).
• Rutgers University Newark is 9.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $1,546 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $11,418 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Rutgers University Newark (86% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 15.7% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($17,405 vs. $15,040).

Rutgers University-Newark vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers University-Newark 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 Rutgers University-Newark.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170) is 20 points higher than at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rutgers University-Newark students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) 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 Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers University-Newark 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University Newark graduates have a $2,285 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($22,215 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers University-Newark graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($229 vs. $253).
• More Rutgers University-Newark 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.