William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

Compare William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or RPI? 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 RPI ($13,509 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 10.4% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($16,240 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 308.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $48,377 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.8% higher at RPI than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $38,737 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (95% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 189.3% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($43,517 vs. $15,040).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 270 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; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.91 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) 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 RPI (63.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 12.1% at RPI.

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

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

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $36,000 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($253 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.