William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College ($13,509 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 5% lower than at Dickinson College ($16,240 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 318% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $49,946 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $15,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159% higher at Dickinson College than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $40,306 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $25,344.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (96% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 195.7% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($44,479 vs. $15,040).

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 220 points higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Paterson University of New Jersey 990/1345; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: William Paterson University of New Jersey - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• William Paterson University of New Jersey has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than William Paterson University of New Jersey's (46%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($21,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates ($217 vs. $253).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.