UMass vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 9,942 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst 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: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

UMass vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 UMass ($13,509 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 2.8% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($16,240 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 13.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $2,068 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.6% higher at UMass than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $15,105 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (86% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 14.7% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($15,040 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or William Paterson University of New Jersey? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William Paterson University of New Jersey and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 240 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 1.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) 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 UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for UMass and William Paterson University of New Jersey? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($248 vs. $253).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.