Western Colorado University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO 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 Western Colorado University based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 3,568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, CO (Remote Town setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Colorado 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 Colorado University 17:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Western Colorado University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Colorado University 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 Western Colorado University ($13,509 vs. $17,711).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Colorado University are 33.7% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($10,760 vs. $16,240).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is 38.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Colorado University (about $4,386 more per year; $15,704.00 vs. $11,318.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Western Colorado University (about $910 more per year; $25,344.00 vs. $24,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Colorado University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (93% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 78.5% larger than aid received by Western Colorado University students ($15,040 vs. $8,425).

Western Colorado University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Colorado University 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 Western Colorado University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Colorado University (1260) is 90 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 1163/1353; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Colorado University 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Western Colorado University - 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 Western Colorado University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
• Western Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than William Paterson University of New Jersey (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Western Colorado University vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

Western Colorado University vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Western Colorado University 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 Colorado University's (39%).
• Graduates from William Paterson University of New Jersey earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Western Colorado University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $40,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Western Colorado University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More Western Colorado University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.