TCNJ vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ 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 TCNJ based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• The College of New Jersey 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: The College of New Jersey 14:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

TCNJ vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ 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 TCNJ ($13,509 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 7.8% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($14,976 vs. $16,240).
• The College of New Jersey is 25% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $3,928 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at TCNJ than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $408 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at The College of New Jersey (86% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 12.6% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($15,040 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ 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 TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (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: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCNJ students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) 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 TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($240 vs. $253).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.