UTC-Chattanooga vs William Paterson
Nestled in the vibrant city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the bustling suburbs of Wayne, New Jersey, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC) and William Paterson University (WPU) stand as two distinct institutions of higher learning. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. UTC boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In contrast, WPU has a more selective admissions process, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. Furthermore, the student body demographics and popular majors vary between the two universities, catering to different student interests and aspirations. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we present a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of UTC and WPU, highlighting their unique strengths and characteristics. Explore the table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga |
![]() William Paterson University of New Jersey |
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Overview |
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Location | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Wayne, New Jersey |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 73.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.7% | 83.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 1030 - 1230 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 89.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 7,607 | 9,171 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,518 | 7,636 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,074 | 995 |
Yield rate | 31.8% | 13.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | 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:
$24,798
Out of state:
$40,916
|
In state:
$29,636
Out of state:
$38,374
|
Average net price | $13,552 | $15,762 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,992
Out of state:
$24,110
|
In state:
$13,778
Out of state:
$22,516
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,348
Meal plan:
$4,114
|
Room/dormitory:
$8,062
Meal plan:
$4,672
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
96.0%
Average amount $9,566 |
73.0%
Average amount $10,710 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
44.0%
Average amount $4,907 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,171 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $10,148 |
6.0%
Average amount $12,281 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,016
Men 41.7% Women 58.3% |
7,219
Men 40.9% Women 59.1% |
Graduate students |
1,441
Men 40.0% Women 60.0% |
2,150
Men 24.6% Women 75.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 11.5% | 5.7% |
International students | 1.2% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,488 | 2,605 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Tennessee Georgia Alabama Virgin Islands California | 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 | 18:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 53.7% | 56.0% |
Dropout rate | 44.3% | 33.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor'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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