WestConn vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT 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 WestConn based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University 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: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

WestConn vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 WestConn ($13,509 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 3.6% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($15,659 vs. $16,240).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $2,303 more per year; $15,704.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50% higher at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Western Connecticut State University (about $8,443 more per year; $25,344.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University as at William Paterson University of New Jersey (86% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($15,040 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn 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 WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170) is 60 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) 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 WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for WestConn 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).

• William Paterson University of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($24,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($253 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.