William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. Lafayette College

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

William Paterson University of New Jersey
Lafayette College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Lafayette College (31.4% admitted vs 90.1%). Typical SAT 1430 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: William Paterson University of New Jersey. Average net price is $13,509 vs $38,442 at Lafayette College.
  • Graduation: William Paterson University of New Jersey 46% vs Lafayette College 88%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500 vs Lafayette College $81,000 (median).
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Key differences

William Paterson University of New Jersey Lafayette College
Acceptance rate
Lafayette College more selective
William Paterson University of New Jersey90.1%
Lafayette College31.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Lafayette College higher
William Paterson University of New Jersey990-1345
Lafayette College1350-1500
Average net price
William Paterson University of New Jersey $24,933 less
William Paterson University of New Jersey$13,509
Lafayette College$38,442
In-state tuition
William Paterson University of New Jersey $49,694 less
William Paterson University of New Jersey$15,704
Lafayette College$65,398
Out-of-state tuition
William Paterson University of New Jersey $40,054 less
William Paterson University of New Jersey$25,344
Lafayette College$65,398
Graduation rate
Lafayette College +42 pts
William Paterson University of New Jersey46%
Lafayette College88%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lafayette College +$34,500
William Paterson University of New Jersey$46,500
Lafayette College$81,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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Check my chances at William Paterson University of New Jersey Check my chances at Lafayette College
  • Admission chances
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey My Chances
  • Lafayette College My Chances
  • Applied
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,165
  • Lafayette College 10,195
  • Admitted
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 8,256
  • Lafayette College 3,206
  • Acceptance rate
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 90.1%
  • Lafayette College 31.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 12.6%
  • Lafayette College 21.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 1170
  • Lafayette College 1430
  • Typical ACT score
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Lafayette College 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 2.97
  • Lafayette College 3.53
  • Typical high school grades
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey B
  • Lafayette College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Difficult
  • Lafayette College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Lafayette College High
  • SAT range
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 990-1345
  • Lafayette College 1350-1500
  • ACT range
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • Lafayette College 31-33
  • Submit test scores
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Test optional
  • Lafayette College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027
  • Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,704
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $25,344
  • Lafayette College $65,398
  • Room & board
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $16,240
  • Lafayette College $19,866
  • Average net price
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $13,509
  • Lafayette College $38,442
  • Average grant aid
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,040
  • Lafayette College $44,707
  • % receiving grant aid
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 86%
  • Lafayette College 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 46%
  • Lafayette College 88%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500
  • Lafayette College $81,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 59%
  • Lafayette College 91%
  • Median student loan debt
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $24,500
  • Lafayette College $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $253
  • Lafayette College $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1
  • Lafayette College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Lafayette College
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • Engineering (19%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Location
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
  • Lafayette College Easton, PA
  • Setting
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Large Suburban
  • Lafayette College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,942
  • Lafayette College 2,775
  • Type
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Public 4 Year
  • Lafayette College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey #595
  • Lafayette College #69

Comparable Facts

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

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 2,775 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 18.3% lower than at Lafayette College ($16,240 vs. $19,866).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 158% higher at Lafayette College than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $40,054 more per year; $65,398 vs. $25,344).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Lafayette College (86% vs. 61%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 197.3% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($44,707 vs. $15,040).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both William Paterson University of New Jersey and Lafayette College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lafayette College average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.56 higher than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (2.97).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($24,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($253 vs. $268).
  • More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Paterson University of New Jersey students, three years after graduation (91% 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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