William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Fordham

Comparable Facts

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

Fordham University is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 9,942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Fordham University 14:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Fordham? 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 Fordham ($13,509 vs. $48,190).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 32.6% lower than at Fordham University ($16,240 vs. $24,090).
• Fordham University is 313.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $49,211 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.1% higher at Fordham than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $39,571 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 139.3% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($35,988 vs. $15,040).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fordham University (1400) is 230 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; Fordham University 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFordham University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fordham students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) 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 Fordham (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

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

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

• Fordham University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Fordham University earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,200 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More Fordham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.