William Paterson University of New Jersey
William Paterson University of New Jersey — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
William Paterson University of New Jersey at a Glance
William Paterson University, known as WP, officially William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ), is a public university in Wayne, New Jersey, United States. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education.
1855
171 years old
8,398
5,298 undergrad · 3,100 grad
370 acres
Identity
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, William Paterson University of New Jersey is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,780 — 7% above average — while paying $18,745/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at William Paterson University of New Jersey has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How William Paterson University of New Jersey compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #124 of 169 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #5 | California State University-East Bay | 90 | $9,320 | $71,401 |
| #6 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #124 | William Paterson University of New Jersey | 35 | $18,745 | $57,780 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of William Paterson University of New Jersey's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in NJ.
Best Programs at William Paterson University of New Jersey
The highest-earning program at William Paterson University of New Jersey is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $71,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $22,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from William Paterson University of New Jersey earns $71,100, while a Music graduate earns $22,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,500 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,745/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,100 | $71,100 | $25,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,100 | $51,100 | $26,000 |
| Mathematics | $50,600 | $50,600 | $26,132 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $49,300 | $49,300 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $43,000 | $43,000 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,000 | $42,000 | $25,376 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,100 | $41,100 | $25,251 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $40,300 | $40,300 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $39,700 | $39,700 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,900 | $37,900 | $31,000 |
| Marketing | $37,300 | $37,300 | $22,000 |
| Economics | $34,700 | $34,700 | $22,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,400 | $34,400 | $22,550 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,425 |
| Sociology | $32,200 | $32,200 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,100 | $32,100 | $22,620 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,000 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $31,000 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $24,333 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,600 | $30,600 | $23,349 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,600 | $30,600 | $24,443 |
| History | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,971 |
| Biology, General | $29,600 | $29,600 | $23,638 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,400 | $29,400 | $26,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,000 | $26,000 | $25,773 |
| Music | $22,800 | $22,800 | $25,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Wayne, NJ
- Student Body
- 6,614 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,745
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,780
- Median Student Debt
- $22,334