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#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

William Paterson University of New Jersey Admission Requirements

Wayne, New Jersey

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Your chances of getting into William Paterson University of New Jersey

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

91.5%
Admission Difficulty for William Paterson University of New Jersey
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at William Paterson University of New Jersey is 91.5%.  Its admission rate is the 33rd lowest in New Jersey.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into William Paterson University of New Jersey and can you get accepted?

William Paterson University of New Jersey is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 6,464 out of the 7,062 who applied were admitted.

William Paterson University of New Jersey typically accepts and attracts "B-" average high school students with an average GPA around 2.97. 12% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into William Paterson University of New Jersey?

92% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to William Paterson University of New Jersey you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 2.97 or better
  • Earn B- grades in high school
  • Score 1170 on the SAT

William Paterson University of New Jersey GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

2.97

Typical High School Grades 

B-

What GPA do you need to get into William Paterson University of New Jersey?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into William Paterson University of New Jersey are to have around a 2.97 high school GPA. You can get into William Paterson University of New Jersey with slightly below average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 2.97 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as William Paterson University of New Jersey accepts 92% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at William Paterson University of New Jersey is 2.97 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B- letter grades and regularly score around 80-82 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #26 in New Jersey for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since William Paterson University of New Jersey is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted William Paterson University of New Jersey students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 9.95% Good
3.50 to 3.74 14.26% Good
3.25 to 3.49 13.03% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 11.69% Avg +
2.50 to 2.99 31.79% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 16.62% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.62% Reach
less than 1.00 0.62% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

William Paterson University of New Jersey SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to William Paterson University of New Jersey. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 95% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

990-1345

Applicants Submitting SAT 

95%
SAT Scores for William Paterson University of New Jersey
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 460
Composite 25th Percentile 990
SAT Scores for William Paterson University of New Jersey
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 665
Composite 75th Percentile 1345
Average SAT Score 1170

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to William Paterson University of New Jersey?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at William Paterson University of New Jersey is 1170 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 990-1345. Students who get into William Paterson University of New Jersey score in the top 62 percent of all SAT test takers..  William Paterson University of New Jersey ranks #13 in the state of New Jersey for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1170 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. William Paterson University of New Jersey regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 990 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 990, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 810, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

William Paterson University of New Jersey is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1170 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1167, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1345 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

William Paterson University of New Jersey admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1345 and Above Good >96%
1167 to 1345 Avg + 92%-96%
990 to 1167 Avg - 86%-92%
813 to 990 Reach 76%-86%
Less than 813 Low <76%
Calculate My Chances 

William Paterson University of New Jersey ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT 

9%
ACT Scores for William Paterson University of New Jersey
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile N/A
ACT Scores for William Paterson University of New Jersey
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile N/A
Average ACT Score N/A
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

William Paterson University of New Jersey admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,281 2,761 7,062
Accepted 3,981 2,465 6,464
Acceptance Rate 93% 89% 92%
Enrolled 438 363 806
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 15% 12%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jun 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

174

Applicants have 174 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jun 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to William Paterson University of New Jersey is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to William Paterson University of New Jersey and what student information is used for admission decisions?

William Paterson University of New Jersey Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at William Paterson University of New Jersey
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to William Paterson University of New Jersey often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=187444 IPEDS survey data for William Paterson University of New Jersey.

Last updated February 24, 2024