Princeton University vs William Paterson University of New Jersey
Princeton University is a private university in Princeton, NJ. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public university in Wayne, NJ. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants and William Paterson University of New Jersey about 90%, making Princeton University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $6,128 a year at Princeton University after aid, and about $18,745 at William Paterson University of New Jersey. About 97% of students graduate at Princeton University, compared with 46% at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Ten years after enrolling, Princeton University alumni earn a median of about $110,066, against $57,780 for William Paterson University of New Jersey.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Princeton, NJ
Wayne, NJ
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
5,709
6,614
Acceptance rate
5%
90%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.28–3.78
SAT (middle 50%)
1510–1580
990–1345
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
16–23
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$6,128
$18,745
Full cost / yr
$84,040
$28,476
In-state tuition
$62,688
$15,704
Out-of-state tuition
$62,688
$25,344
Application fee
$70
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$41
$16,171
$30k - $48k
$352
$18,287
$48k - $75k
$1,217
$18,505
$75k - $110k
$4,478
$22,862
Over $110k
$36,094
$24,917
Outcomes
Graduation rate
97%
46%
Freshman retention
98%
74%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$87,815
$44,928
Median earnings (10 yr)
$110,066
$57,780
Median debt at graduation
$10,320
$22,334
Student body
Pell grant recipients
19%
47%
First-generation students
28%
44%
International students
13%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Dec 1
Regular decision
Jan 1
Jun 1
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Princeton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey harder to get into?
- Princeton University is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 90% at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Princeton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?
- Princeton University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $6,128 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $18,745 at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Princeton University and William Paterson University of New Jersey?
- Before aid, William Paterson University of New Jersey costs about $28,476 a year and Princeton University about $84,040. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Princeton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?
- Princeton University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $41 there, against about $16,171 at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Princeton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?
- William Paterson University of New Jersey is the larger of the two, with about 6,614 undergraduates against 5,709 at Princeton University.
- Does Princeton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey have a better graduation rate?
- Princeton University has the higher graduation rate, at about 97% against 46% at William Paterson University of New Jersey.
- Do graduates of Princeton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey earn more?
- Princeton University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $110,066 ten years after enrolling, against about $57,780 for William Paterson University of New Jersey. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Princeton University and William Paterson University of New Jersey require SAT or ACT scores?
- Princeton University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. William Paterson University of New Jersey is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Princeton University and William Paterson University of New Jersey look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Princeton University and 990–1345 at William Paterson University of New Jersey. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Princeton University vs The College of New JerseyPrinceton University vs New Jersey Institute of TechnologyPrinceton University vs Rutgers University-NewarkWilliam Paterson University of New Jersey vs The College of New JerseyWilliam Paterson University of New Jersey vs New Jersey Institute of TechnologyWilliam Paterson University of New Jersey vs Rutgers University-Newark
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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