William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Lafayette College? 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 Lafayette College ($13,509 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 18.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,240 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 316.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $49,694 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158% higher at Lafayette College than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $40,054 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Lafayette College (86% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 197.3% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($44,707 vs. $15,040).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 260 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; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lafayette College students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) 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 Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $34,500 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 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 Lafayette College 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 Lafayette College graduates ($253 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.