William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

Compare William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg ($13,509 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 10.9% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($14,474 vs. $16,240).
• Penn State Harrisburg is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $268 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $1,614 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Penn State Harrisburg (86% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 62.7% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($15,040 vs. $9,245).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Harrisburg (1220) is 50 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; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than William Paterson University of New Jersey (90.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for William Paterson University of New Jersey and Penn State Harrisburg? 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).

• Penn State Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $2,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($253 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.