William Paterson University of New Jersey

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Wayne, NJ
  • 0 reviews
#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

Overview

Total enrollment

9,942
William Paterson University of New Jersey overview
William Paterson University of New Jersey overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

William Paterson University, located in Wayne, New Jersey, approximately 20 miles west of New York City, spans 370 acres in suburban Passaic County amid the Preakness Hills. The public university, established in 1855 as a normal school for teacher training, has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs across five academic colleges. The university maintains a moderate selection process and is known for its education, nursing, and business programs, along with its communication department featuring a working radio station and television studio. Students can choose from multiple residence halls situated throughout the wooded campus, which includes both traditional dormitory-style and apartment-style housing options. The campus architecture combines historic buildings with modern facilities, centered around the distinctive Ben Shahn Center for the Visual Arts.

Ratings

William Paterson University of New Jersey is rated within the lower 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    7 out of 10
  • Resources
    6 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    6 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult
William Paterson University of New Jersey admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 990/1345
  • GPA 2.97

Acceptance Rate

90.1%
William Paterson University of New Jersey applications overview
  • Applications Due Jun 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 12.6%
  • Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

New Jersey Resident Tuition

$15,704

Out of State Resident Tuition

$25,344

Breakdown

In State Costs for William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Tuition $15,704
  • Books and Supplies $1,600
  • Other Fees $500
  • Room and Board $16,240
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,166
  • Total One Year Cost $37,210

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$46,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

46% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at William Paterson University of New Jersey are Business, Social Sciences, and Education. 23% of students major in Business, 12% in Social Sciences, and 10% in Education.

  • Business 23%
  • Social Sciences 12%
  • Education 10%
  • Communication 10%
  • Psychology 8%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering William Paterson University of New Jersey are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=187444.

GPA calculator: William Paterson University of New Jersey GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026