William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Clarkson

Deciding between William Paterson University of New Jersey and Clarkson University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

William Paterson University of New Jersey
Clarkson University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
  • Clarkson Potsdam, NY
  • Setting
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Large Suburban
  • Clarkson Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,942
  • Clarkson 3,348
  • Type
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Public 4 Year
  • Clarkson Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey #595
  • Clarkson #189
  • Religious Affiliation
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey -
  • Clarkson -
  • Status
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Non-profit
  • Clarkson Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Clarkson
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,704
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $25,344
  • Clarkson $59,398
  • Room & Board
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $16,240
  • Clarkson $18,252
  • Average Net Price
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $13,509
  • Clarkson $32,406
  • Average Grant Aid
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,040
  • Clarkson $46,528
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 86%
  • Clarkson 100%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Calculate
  • Clarkson Calculate
  • Applied
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,165
  • Clarkson 6,661
  • Admitted
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 8,256
  • Clarkson 5,153
  • Acceptance Rate
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 90.1%
  • Clarkson 77.4%
  • Enrolled
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 12.6%
  • Clarkson 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 1170
  • Clarkson 1300
  • Typical ACT score
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Clarkson 28
  • Average High School GPA
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 2.97
  • Clarkson 3.8
  • Typical High School Grades
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey B
  • Clarkson A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Difficult
  • Clarkson Very High
  • Applicant Competition
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Clarkson
  • ACT Range
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Clarkson 25/32
  • SAT Range
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345
  • Clarkson 1200/1390
  • Submit Test Scores
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Test optional
  • Clarkson Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027
  • Clarkson Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1
  • Clarkson 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Clarkson
    • Engineering (48%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (9%)
    • Communication (3%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 46%
  • Clarkson 72%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500
  • Clarkson $70,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 59%
  • Clarkson 86%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $24,500
  • Clarkson $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $253
  • Clarkson $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 33%
  • Clarkson 66%
  • % Women
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 67%
  • Clarkson 34%
  • Racial Diversity
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey High
  • Clarkson Very Low
  • HBCU
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey No
  • Clarkson No
  • % White
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 43%
  • Clarkson 84%
  • % Asian
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 7%
  • Clarkson 3%
  • % Black
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 16%
  • Clarkson 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 27%
  • Clarkson 4%
  • % Native American
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 0%
  • Clarkson 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 0%
  • Clarkson 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 3%
  • Clarkson 2%
  • % International
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 0%
  • Clarkson 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 3%
  • Clarkson 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 92%
  • Clarkson 67%
  • % Out-of-State
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 5%
  • Clarkson 25%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Clarkson based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 3,348 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Clarkson University is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clarkson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Clarkson University 13:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Clarkson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Clarkson? 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 Clarkson ($13,509 vs. $32,406).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 11% lower than at Clarkson University ($16,240 vs. $18,252).
  • Clarkson University is 278.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $43,694 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $15,704.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 134.4% higher at Clarkson than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $34,054 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $25,344.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (100% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 209.4% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($46,528 vs. $15,040).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Clarkson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Clarkson? 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 Clarkson and William Paterson University of New Jersey.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clarkson University (1300) is 130 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345; Clarkson University 1200/1390.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsClarkson University 25/32.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Clarkson - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; Clarkson Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.83 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) 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 Clarkson (77.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 9.5% at Clarkson.

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

How do outcomes compare for William Paterson University of New Jersey and Clarkson? 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).

  • Clarkson University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
  • Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Clarkson graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($253 vs. $279).
  • More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.