William Paterson vs RI College
William Paterson University of New Jersey and Rhode Island College, both public institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. William Paterson, located in Wayne, New Jersey, boasts a higher acceptance rate (79%) compared to Rhode Island College's 68%. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, William Paterson excels in nursing, business, and education, while Rhode Island College is known for its strengths in social sciences, psychology, and communication. With a larger student body, William Paterson fosters a more diverse community, while Rhode Island College maintains a smaller, close-knit campus. When it comes to graduation rates, Rhode Island College holds a slight edge, with 62% of its students completing their degrees within six years, compared to William Paterson's 58%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Rhode Island College |
![]() William Paterson University of New Jersey |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | 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 | 74.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.8% | 83.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 3,592 | 9,171 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,047 | 7,636 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 609 | 995 |
Yield rate | 20.0% | 13.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | 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:
$28,456
Out of state:
$43,654
|
In state:
$29,636
Out of state:
$38,374
|
Average net price | $8,710 | $15,762 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,277
Out of state:
$24,475
|
In state:
$13,778
Out of state:
$22,516
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,354
Meal plan:
$5,722
|
Room/dormitory:
$8,062
Meal plan:
$4,672
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $5,118 |
73.0%
Average amount $10,710 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
53.0%
Average amount $4,737 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,171 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $10,448 |
6.0%
Average amount $12,281 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,252
Men 31.0% Women 69.0% |
7,219
Men 40.9% Women 59.1% |
Graduate students |
1,079
Men 21.2% Women 78.8% |
2,150
Men 24.6% Women 75.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 20.5% | 5.7% |
International students | 0.2% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,100 | 2,605 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Rhode Island Mississippi Connecticut New York New Jersey | 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 | New England Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 45.7% | 56.0% |
Dropout rate | 49.4% | 33.1% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (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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