Paterson, New Jersey Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

Colleges in Paterson, New Jersey: median public in-state tuition $6,300 (+14.3% vs national median) median graduate debt $7,568 (-43.0% vs U.S.) 4,406 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 4,406 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $6,300 (+14.3% vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $14,954 (+50.0% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $7,568 (-43.0% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $13,000

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Overview

Colleges and universities in Paterson serve students across New Jersey with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 4,406 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $6,300. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Paterson, New Jersey and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Paterson vs New Jersey & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Paterson, New Jersey$6,300$14,954$7,568N/A4,406
New Jersey (state median)$6,300$11,024$11,99851.0%316,789
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221

Earnings & employment outcomes: Paterson, New Jersey vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Paterson, New JerseyN/AN/AN/A——N/AN/A
New Jersey (state median)$59,98884.0%78.3%4.6%—71.8%0.36
United States$54,38488.0%76.4%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in New Jersey (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Paterson, New Jersey$6,300$14,954$7,568N/A4,406N/AN/A
New Brunswick$17,929$24,406$21,50083.6%37,751$74,47984.8%
Newark$18,612$9,075$21,48363.7%23,092$74,47984.8%
Newark$18,612$9,075$21,48363.7%23,092$74,47984.8%
Newark$18,612$9,075$21,48363.7%23,092$74,47984.8%
Jersey City$16,422$18,582$15,73334.1%13,960$52,74576.0%
Union$12,824$12,447$12,36556.6%13,416$57,23784.7%
Paramus$4,913$25,733$11,260N/A11,052N/AN/A
Edison$8,732$8,389$7,6250.0%8,651N/AN/A
United States$5,512$9,969$13,27150.3%14,468,221$54,38488.0%

In-state tuition: Paterson, New Jersey vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Paterson, New Jersey median in-state tuition is $6,300, +14.3% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Paterson, New Jersey vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Paterson, New Jersey is $7,568 (-43.0% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $13,000.

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Paterson, New Jersey median public in-state tuition is $6,300, about +14.3% vs the national median. Versus the Mid East region, tuition is -14.7%.

Median graduate debt is $7,568 (-43.0% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Paterson?

This city profile covers 2 campuses in Paterson, New Jersey with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Paterson?

Median in-state tuition in Paterson is $6,300 and median net price is $14,954. For New Jersey overall, medians are $6,300 and $11,024; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.

What do graduates earn in Paterson?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Paterson is N/A vs $59,988 for New Jersey and $54,384 nationally.

What is student debt like for Paterson colleges?

Median completer debt in Paterson is $7,568 vs $11,998 for New Jersey and $13,271 nationally.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Paterson?

Among 2 campuses in Paterson, New Jersey, 2 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences and Passaic County Community College.

Sources & related