Rutgers vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Comparable Facts

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

Rutgers University New Brunswick is larger than William Paterson University of New Jersey based on total student enrollment (52,269 students vs. 9,942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rutgers University New Brunswick is located in New Brunswick, NJ (Small City setting); William Paterson University of New Jersey is in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rutgers University New Brunswick 16:1; William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1.

Rutgers vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rutgers 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 Rutgers ($13,509 vs. $20,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rutgers University New Brunswick are 3.2% lower than at William Paterson University of New Jersey ($15,714 vs. $16,240).
• Rutgers University New Brunswick is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $2,225 more per year; $17,929.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.7% higher at Rutgers than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $12,097 more per year; $37,441.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Rutgers University New Brunswick (86% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University New Brunswick students is 11.3% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($16,742 vs. $15,040).

Rutgers vs. William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rutgers 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 Rutgers.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rutgers University New Brunswick (1410) is 240 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 1310/1500; William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rutgers University New Brunswick 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rutgers - Test optional; William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rutgers students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) 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 Rutgers (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.5% at Rutgers vs. 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.

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

How do outcomes compare for Rutgers 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).

• Rutgers University New Brunswick's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates have a $2,285 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($22,215 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Rutgers graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($229 vs. $253).
• More Rutgers graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.