Suffolk University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

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

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Location Boston, MA Wayne, NJ
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,697 9,426
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #445 #596
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website suffolk.edu wpunj.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Tuition (In State) $44,812 $14,690
Tuition (Out of State) $44,812 $24,004
Room & Board $19,562 $15,990
Avg Net Price $33,089 $16,999
Avg Grant Aid $29,627 $13,984
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 83%

Admission

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,101 7,754
Admitted 8,560 7,174
Acceptance Rate 84.7% 92.5%
Enrolled % 14.2% 12.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 2.97
Typical High School Grades B+ B-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/32
SAT Range 1090/1280 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 Feb 15, 2026 Jun 1, 2026

Academics

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
Graduation Rate 54% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,100 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $253

Diversity

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
% Men 12% 7%
% Women 21% 24%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 40% 43%
% Black 6% 16%
% Hispanic 11% 27%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 23% 0%
% Unknown Race 9% 3%

Students

Suffolk University William Paterson University of New Jersey
% In-State 54% 89%
% Out-of-State 36% 6%

Campus

Suffolk 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 Suffolk University based on total student enrollment (9,426 students vs. 6,697 students)

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

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

  • Suffolk University is 205.1% more expensive to attend than William Paterson University of New Jersey for in-state tuition ($44,812.00 vs. $14,690.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 86.7% higher at Suffolk University than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($44,812.00 vs. $24,004.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Paterson University of New Jersey than Suffolk University ($16,999 vs. $33,089)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 22.3% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($15,990 vs. $19,562)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Suffolk University than William Paterson University of New Jersey (98% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 111.9% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($29,627 vs. $13,984)

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

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

  • The average SAT score at Suffolk University (1024) is 34 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (990)
  • Accepted freshman Suffolk University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than Suffolk University (84.7%)

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

Which is better, Suffolk 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 Suffolk University.

  • The graduation rate at Suffolk University is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (54% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn on average $12,600 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates after ten years. ($59,100 vs. $46,500)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Suffolk University graduates. ($24,500 vs. $27,000)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Suffolk University graduates. ($253 vs. $279)
  • More Suffolk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 59%)

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