William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or VCU? 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 VCU ($13,509 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 11% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($16,240 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $1,241 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at VCU than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $14,765 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (88% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students is 6% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($15,040 vs. $14,186).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170) is 30 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) 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. 21.6% at VCU.

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

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

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($240 vs. $253).
• More William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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.