The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) vs William Paterson
The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and William Paterson University (WPU) are two distinct public universities in New Jersey, each offering unique educational experiences. TCNJ, located in Ewing, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 52% compared to WPU's 78%, indicating a more selective admissions process. TCNJ's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of over 6,000 students, while WPU has a more intimate community of around 4,000 undergraduates. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with TCNJ excelling in STEM fields and WPU known for its strong liberal arts and education programs. TCNJ's graduation rate stands at 79%, while WPU's is slightly lower at 68%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two esteemed institutions. Explore the table to discover which university
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![]() The College of New Jersey |
![]() William Paterson University of New Jersey |
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Overview |
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Location | Ewing, New Jersey | Wayne, New Jersey |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 62.0% | 83.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1170 - 1350 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 32 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 42.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 7.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 10,393 | 9,171 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,442 | 7,636 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,476 | 995 |
Yield rate | 22.9% | 13.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,837
Out of state:
$48,144
|
In state:
$29,636
Out of state:
$38,374
|
Average net price | $13,269 | $15,762 |
Tuition |
In state:
$13,603
Out of state:
$25,910
|
In state:
$13,778
Out of state:
$22,516
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,706
Meal plan:
$4,046
|
Room/dormitory:
$8,062
Meal plan:
$4,672
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
48.0%
Average amount $10,531 |
73.0%
Average amount $10,710 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
40.0%
Average amount $5,217 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,171 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $16,857 |
6.0%
Average amount $12,281 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
6,959
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
7,219
Men 40.9% Women 59.1% |
Graduate students |
630
Men 20.2% Women 79.8% |
2,150
Men 24.6% Women 75.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 5.7% | 5.7% |
International students | 0.8% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,218 | 2,605 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Maryland Delaware | New Jersey New York Maryland Pennsylvania Connecticut |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 86.9% | 56.0% |
Dropout rate | 3.2% | 33.1% |
Transferred out | 9.2% | 7.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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