Holy Cross vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Holy Cross 9:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Holy Cross vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross or William Paterson University of New Jersey? 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 Holy Cross ($13,509 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 13.7% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($16,240 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 310.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $48,796 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.5% higher at Holy Cross than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $39,156 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at College of the Holy Cross (86% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 194.8% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($44,334 vs. $15,040).

Holy Cross vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Holy Cross (1330) is 160 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 49.6% at Holy Cross vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

Holy Cross vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $33,900 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 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 Holy Cross 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 Holy Cross graduates ($253 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.