William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

Compare William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ with George Mason University in Fairfax, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

George Mason University is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (39,766 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); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; George Mason University 16:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Mason? 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 Mason ($13,509 vs. $18,823).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 3.2% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($15,725 vs. $16,240).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $1,484 more per year; $15,704.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.7% higher at Mason than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $13,344 more per year; $38,688.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at George Mason University (86% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 17% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($15,040 vs. $12,852).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Mason 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: William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGeorge Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mason students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) 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 Mason (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 20.2% at Mason.

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

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

• George Mason University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from George Mason University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, George Mason University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($19,750 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Mason graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($204 vs. $253).
• More Mason 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.