William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. JMU

Comparable Facts

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

James Madison University is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (22,740 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); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; James Madison University 17:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. JMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or JMU? 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 JMU ($13,509 vs. $18,856).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 19.6% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($13,056 vs. $16,240).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than JMU (about $1,454 more per year; $15,704.00 vs. $14,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at JMU than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $6,260 more per year; $31,604.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at James Madison University (86% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 24.2% larger than aid received by James Madison University students ($15,040 vs. $12,114).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. JMU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at James Madison 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; James Madison University 1170/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsJames Madison University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; JMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman JMU students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) 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 JMU (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 18.2% at JMU.

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

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

• James Madison University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from James Madison University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,300 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, James Madison University graduates have a $3,601 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($20,899 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, JMU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($216 vs. $253).
• More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.