William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Alfred University

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

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
Location Wayne, NJ Alfred, NY
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 9,426 1,843
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #596 #292
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wpunj.edu alfred.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
Tuition (In State) $14,690 $38,270
Tuition (Out of State) $24,004 $38,270
Room & Board $15,990 $14,240
Avg Net Price $16,999 $26,127
Avg Grant Aid $13,984 $28,371
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 99%

Admission

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,754 7,761
Admitted 7,174 3,751
Acceptance Rate 92.5% 48.3%
Enrolled % 12.3% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 2.97 3.4
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/31
SAT Range 990/1345 1100/1280
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 Jun 1, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
Graduation Rate 46% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,500 $45,700
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $279

Diversity

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
% Men 7% 6%
% Women 24% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 43% 66%
% Black 16% 9%
% Hispanic 27% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 10%

Students

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
% In-State 89% 72%
% Out-of-State 6% 20%

Campus

William Paterson University of New Jersey Alfred University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than than Alfred University based on total student enrollment (9,426 students vs. 1,843 students)

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

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

  • Alfred University is 160.5% more expensive to attend than William Paterson University of New Jersey for in-state tuition ($38,270.00 vs. $14,690.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.4% higher at Alfred University than William Paterson University of New Jersey ($38,270.00 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 Alfred University ($16,999 vs. $26,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alfred University are 12.3% lower than costs at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($14,240 vs. $15,990)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alfred University than William Paterson University of New Jersey (99% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alfred University students is 102.9% larger than aid received William Paterson University of New Jersey ($28,371 vs. $13,984)

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

Which college is harder to get into, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Alfred University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Alfred University or William Paterson University of New Jersey .

  • The average SAT score at Alfred University (1057) is 67 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (990)
  • Accepted freshman Alfred University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) 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 Alfred University (48.3%)

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

Which is better, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Alfred University? 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 Alfred University and William Paterson University of New Jersey.

  • The graduation rate at Alfred University is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey (60% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from William Paterson University of New Jersey earn on average $800 more per year than Alfred University graduates after ten years. ($46,500 vs. $45,700)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Alfred 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 Alfred University graduates. ($253 vs. $279)
  • More Alfred University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

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