William Paterson University of New Jersey Acceptance Rate
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public research university in Wayne, New Jersey, serving roughly 6,614 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 90.08% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $57,780 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $15,704
- 2024 Average Net Price: $18,745 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 90.08% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 6,614 79.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 43.96%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 43.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 37.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 97.7%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,173
- Applicants (IPEDS): 7,754
- Room & Board: $16,240 annual estimate
William Paterson University of New Jersey: what the data shows
Common questions about William Paterson University of New Jersey, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is William Paterson University of New Jersey?
William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ (ZIP 07470).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey public or private?
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a Public institution.
How much does William Paterson University of New Jersey cost?
Published tuition: $15,704 in-state, $25,344 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $18,745.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $16,171 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,287 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,505 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,862 |
| $110,001+ | $24,917 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $62,816.
How hard is it to get into William Paterson University of New Jersey?
Admission rate: 90.08%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is William Paterson University of New Jersey?
Total enrollment: 6,614 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,173 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,295 students.
About 79% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
150%-time completion rate: 43.96%.
First-year retention: 73.9%.
What do graduates of William Paterson University of New Jersey earn?
Median earnings: $44,928 six years after entry; $57,780 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,334.
46.53% of students receive Pell grants.
What is William Paterson University of New Jersey known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (657 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (397 completions)
- Psychology, General (190 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (156 completions)
- Accounting (128 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (96 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (86 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (85 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (84 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (79 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 90.08%; completion rate 43.96%; median earnings $57,780 at 10 years; net price $18,745. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$15,704
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at William Paterson University of New Jersey was $15,704.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$18,745
2024 Value
In 2024 William Paterson University of New Jersey had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,745.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$74,980 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$18,745 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$62,816 4-Year In-State Tuition
$101,376 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$16,240 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,600 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$33,544 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$134,176 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Financial Aid by Income Level
46.53% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
42.85% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at William Paterson University of New Jersey was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for William Paterson University of New Jersey in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $11,918 | $19,458 | $15,927 |
| 2014 | $12,244 | $19,920 | $15,142 |
| 2015 | $12,365 | $20,125 | $16,643 |
| 2016 | $12,574 | $20,466 | $17,138 |
| 2017 | $12,652 | $19,654 | $17,064 |
| 2018 | $13,060 | $21,260 | $16,259 |
| 2019 | $13,370 | $21,768 | $19,547 |
| 2020 | $13,770 | $22,336 | $18,498 |
| 2021 | $14,210 | $22,948 | $17,225 |
| 2022 | $14,624 | $23,624 | $12,946 |
| 2023 | $15,150 | $24,464 | $17,764 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
90.08% Acceptance Rate
7,754 Total Applicants
7,174 Students Admitted
883 First-Time Students Enrolled
12.31% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
William Paterson University of New Jersey reported total enrollment of about 6,614 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 39% male and 61% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (34.1%), White (29.6%), and Black or African American (21.7%). About 46.53% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 43.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
79.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at William Paterson University of New Jersey in 2024 is 6,614 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 8,173 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,295 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
73.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Hispanic or Latino at 34.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
26.16% 100% Completion Time
43.96% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 26.16% of students graduating from William Paterson University of New Jersey completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 15% male / 85% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 43% male / 57% female
- Psychology, General: 15% male / 85% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Return on Investment
$22,334 Median Student Debt
$57,780 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
38.65% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
670.61% Return on Investment
3.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 86 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 657 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 397 completions
3. Psychology, General: 190 completions
4. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 156 completions
5. Accounting: 128 completions
6. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 96 completions
7. Health Professions and Related Programs: 86 completions
8. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 85 completions
9. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 84 completions
Most popular programs at William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for William Paterson University of New Jersey from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 97.7%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $13,396
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $13,191
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution located in Wayne, NJ, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 6,614 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (34.1%), White (29.6%), Black or African American (21.7%). The admission rate is 90.08%. The 150%-time completion rate is 43.96%. Approximately 46.53% of students receive Pell Grants. About 43.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Wayne, NJ 07470
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 86 distinct degree programs, William Paterson University of New Jersey provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is William Paterson University of New Jersey located?
William Paterson University of New Jersey is located in Wayne, NJ.
What is William Paterson University of New Jersey's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at William Paterson University of New Jersey is 90.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 7,754 applicants and 7,174 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does William Paterson University of New Jersey cost?
Reported tuition is $15,704 and average net price is $18,745 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,240 annually.
What is the student body demographics at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
William Paterson University of New Jersey reports undergraduate enrollment of about 8,173 students, Hispanic or Latino (34.1%), White (29.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend William Paterson University of New Jersey?
About 43.9% of students at William Paterson University of New Jersey are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of William Paterson University of New Jersey earn?
Median earnings are $44,928 six years after entry and $57,780 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
The 150%-time completion rate is 44.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do William Paterson University of New Jersey students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,334.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey public or private?
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution located in Wayne, NJ.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey an HBCU?
No. William Paterson University of New Jersey is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey a tribal college?
No. William Paterson University of New Jersey is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—William Paterson University of New Jersey reports 34.1% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- New Jersey college costs
- New Jersey colleges by ROI
- Wayne, New Jersey city profile
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in New Jersey
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.