Emerson vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Emerson College and William Paterson University of New Jersey side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
William Paterson University of New Jersey

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 90.1%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: William Paterson University of New Jersey. Average net price is $13,509 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs William Paterson University of New Jersey 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College William Paterson University of New Jersey
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
William Paterson University of New Jersey90.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
William Paterson University of New Jersey990-1345
Average net price
William Paterson University of New Jersey $39,923 less
Emerson$53,432
William Paterson University of New Jersey$13,509
In-state tuition
William Paterson University of New Jersey $41,352 less
Emerson$57,056
William Paterson University of New Jersey$15,704
Out-of-state tuition
William Paterson University of New Jersey $31,712 less
Emerson$57,056
William Paterson University of New Jersey$25,344
Graduation rate
Emerson +35 pts
Emerson81%
William Paterson University of New Jersey46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$2,700
Emerson$49,200
William Paterson University of New Jersey$46,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,165
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 8,256
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 90.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 12.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 2.97
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey B
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 990-1345
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,704
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $25,344
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $16,240
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $13,509
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,040
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 86%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $24,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $253
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,942
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey #595

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College 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: Emerson College 14:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 22.4% lower than at Emerson College ($16,240 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 125.1% higher at Emerson than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $31,712 more per year; $57,056 vs. $25,344).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Emerson College (86% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 79.5% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($26,997 vs. $15,040).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and William Paterson University of New Jersey.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.76 higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($242 vs. $253).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 59%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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