William Paterson University of New Jersey vs. RISD

William Paterson University of New Jersey and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

William Paterson University of New Jersey
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 90.1%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1170.
  • Cheaper after aid: William Paterson University of New Jersey. Average net price is $13,509 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: William Paterson University of New Jersey 46% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

William Paterson University of New Jersey Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
William Paterson University of New Jersey90.1%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
William Paterson University of New Jersey990-1345
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
William Paterson University of New Jersey $29,983 less
William Paterson University of New Jersey$13,509
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,984 less
William Paterson University of New Jersey$15,704
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
William Paterson University of New Jersey $37,344 less
William Paterson University of New Jersey$25,344
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +41 pts
William Paterson University of New Jersey46%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
RISD +$4,600
William Paterson University of New Jersey$46,500
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,165
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 8,256
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 90.1%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 12.6%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 1170
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 2.97
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey B
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Difficult
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 990-1345
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,704
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $25,344
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $16,240
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $13,509
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $15,040
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 86%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 46%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $46,500
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 59%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $24,500
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey $253
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Large Suburban
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey 9,942
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey Public 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey #595
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare William Paterson University of New Jersey in Wayne, NJ with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is larger than RISD based on total student enrollment (9,942 students vs. 2,520 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: William Paterson University of New Jersey 18:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Paterson University of New Jersey are 2.3% lower than at Rhode Island School of Design ($16,240 vs. $16,626).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 147.3% higher at RISD than at William Paterson University of New Jersey (about $37,344 more per year; $62,688 vs. $25,344).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey than at Rhode Island School of Design (86% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students is 154.1% larger than aid received by William Paterson University of New Jersey students ($38,223 vs. $15,040).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both William Paterson University of New Jersey and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: William Paterson University of New Jersey Jun 1, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RISD average a 3.71 high school GPA, 0.74 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. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($253 vs. $279).
  • More RISD 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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