William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

Compare William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ with Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, 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 New Kensington based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Penn State New Kensington? 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 New Kensington ($13,509 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State New Kensington are 5.9% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($15,274 vs. $16,240).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $1,296 more per year; $15,704.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Penn State New Kensington (about $1,210 more per year; $25,344.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State New Kensington than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 92.6% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($15,040 vs. $7,809).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 20 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 New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) 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. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

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

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

• William Paterson University of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington 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 New Kensington 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 New Kensington graduates ($253 vs. $277).
• More Penn State New Kensington 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.