William Paterson University of New Jersey
#5 Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,780 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,745 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey.
Every $1 spent returns $21.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,533,149.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 42% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.84% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why William Paterson University of New Jersey Matters
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public university in Wayne, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 6,614
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose William Paterson University of New Jersey
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,745 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,780 ten years after enrolling — 42% above the typical college, against $22,334 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 13% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.56 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 90%, William Paterson University of New Jersey is a great fit for students looking for a welcoming environment where they can explore a range of fields. The standout programs here include Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Communications. This diversity allows students to find their niche and develop skills that are in demand in the workforce.
After graduation, students can expect an average earning of $57,780 within ten years, which shows a solid return on their investment in education. While the graduation rate is 46%, many students find paths that lead to upward mobility in their careers. Affordability matters too; with nearly half of the student body receiving Pell Grants, we can see that this school is accessible to those who need financial support.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $18,745, which is manageable for many families. The median debt of $22,334 suggests that while some students may take on loans, they are not overwhelmingly high compared to potential earnings. Those who thrive here often have a clear sense of purpose and are ready to engage with their studies and campus community.
Rankings
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in New Jersey
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
- #13 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey
- #13 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #15 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey
- #15 Best Master's Programs in New Jersey
- #16 Best Biology Colleges in New Jersey
- #17 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective William Paterson University of New Jersey is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into William Paterson University of New Jersey? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Wayne, New Jersey, William Paterson University of New Jersey admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 98%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,396
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.74
- First-Gen Students
- 44%
- Applicants
- 7,062
- Admitted
- 6,464
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend William Paterson University of New Jersey? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at William Paterson University of New Jersey is $25,344, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,745. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,171 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,334 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $15,704
- Out-of-State
- $25,344
- Avg Net Price
- $18,745
- Median Debt
- $22,334
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,171
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,287
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,505
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,917
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of William Paterson University of New Jersey earn a median of $57,780, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,928
- 8 Years
- $52,612
- 10 Years
- $57,780
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (429)
- 37%
- 100% (429)
- 37%
- 100% (429)
- 37%
- 100% (429)
- 37%
How William Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, William Paterson University of New Jersey delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,745/year ($74,980 total). Graduates earn $57,780 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,608,129 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,533,149 (21.4× your investment). The median debt is $22,334, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $74,980
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,608,129
- Net Return
- $1,533,149
- ROI Multiple
- 21.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,745
- Median Debt
- $22,334
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does William Paterson University of New Jersey Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.84%, among the highest in the country. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.84%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 32.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $89,500
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,737,062
- Investment Income
- $-2,402,118
Top Programs
The fields William Paterson University of New Jersey awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 24%
- Business & Marketing 24%
- Psychology 9%
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Communications 4%
- Social Sciences 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for William Paterson University of New Jersey's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into William Paterson University of New Jersey? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Wayne, New Jersey, William Paterson University of New Jersey admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend William Paterson University of New Jersey? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at William Paterson University of New Jersey is $25,344, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,745. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,171 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,334 in federal student loans.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of William Paterson University of New Jersey earn a median of $57,780, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does William Paterson University of New Jersey Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
William Paterson University of New Jersey is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.84%, among the highest in the country. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 32.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is William Paterson University of New Jersey? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to William Paterson University of New Jersey.
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI · Close peer54% grad $58,084 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA · Close peer45% grad $57,897 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT · Close peer49% grad $55,043 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · Close peer70% grad $57,602 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh, WI · Close peer51% grad $55,548 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is William Paterson University of New Jersey? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Its economic connectedness score is 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note