St. Mary's vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's City, MD 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 St. Mary's based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 1,630 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. Mary's College of Maryland is located in St. Mary's City, MD (Distant Rural setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• St. Mary's College of Maryland 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: St. Mary's College of Maryland 10:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

St. Mary's vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's ($13,509 vs. $21,071).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's College of Maryland are 1% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($16,079 vs. $16,240).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's (about $406 more per year; $15,704.00 vs. $15,298.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at St. Mary's than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $6,030 more per year; $31,374.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's College of Maryland than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 32% larger than aid received by St. Mary's College of Maryland students ($15,040 vs. $11,398).

St. Mary's vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St. Mary's College of Maryland (1240) is 70 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Mary's College of Maryland 1143/1340; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Mary's College of Maryland 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Mary's Jan 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) 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 St. Mary's (68.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at St. Mary's vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

St. Mary's vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's 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).

• St. Mary's College of Maryland's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from St. Mary's College of Maryland earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,500 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates have a $4,130 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($20,370 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, St. Mary's graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($210 vs. $253).
• More St. Mary's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.