William Paterson vs Rowan University

William Paterson University of New Jersey and Rowan University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in New Jersey, offer distinct educational experiences. William Paterson, with an acceptance rate of 84%, welcomes a diverse student body, with 49% identifying as female and 51% as male. Rowan, with a slightly lower acceptance rate of 79%, boasts a larger student population, with 53% female and 47% male students. While William Paterson excels in liberal arts and sciences, education, and nursing, Rowan shines in engineering, business, and health professions. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with William Paterson at 59% and Rowan at 63%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and offerings, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Rowan University	William Paterson University of New Jersey
Overview
Location	Glassboro, 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	83.0%	67.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	83.8%	83.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1070 - 1280	N/A
ACT range	23 - 30	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%
Students submitting ACT score	3.0%
Total number of applicants	11,659	9,171
Total number of admissions given out	9,767	7,636
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,191	995
Yield rate	22.4%	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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,181 Out of state: $39,213	In state: $29,636 Out of state: $38,374
Average net price	$21,425	$15,762
Tuition	In state: $10,302 Out of state: $19,334	In state: $13,778 Out of state: $22,516
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,820 Meal plan: $4,784	Room/dormitory: $8,062 Meal plan: $4,672
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	75.0% Average amount $9,344	73.0% Average amount $10,710
Students receiving federal student loan	53.0% Average amount $5,360	49.0% Average amount $5,171
Students taking out private loans	12.0% Average amount $17,107	6.0% Average amount $12,281

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	15,119 Men 52.5% Women 47.5%	7,219 Men 40.9% Women 59.1%
Graduate students	3,933 Men 41.8% Women 58.2%	2,150 Men 24.6% Women 75.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	5.4%	5.7%
International students	2.3%	1.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,418	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

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Psychology Engineering	Business Education Health Professions Psychology Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.6%	56.0%
Dropout rate	12.6%	33.1%
Transferred out	16.3%	7.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,964 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $82,432 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $77,478 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $77,437 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,059 Year 2: $67,899 Year 3: $74,727 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,732 Year 2: $72,742 Year 3: $74,616 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,540 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $72,253 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,819 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $70,490 Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $58,188 Year 2: $58,387 Year 3: $69,683 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,459 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $68,928 Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $56,140 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $68,138 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,859 Year 2: $60,358 Year 3: $65,227	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,485 Year 2: $76,946 Year 3: $82,170 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,661 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $73,341 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,945 Year 2: $65,238 Year 3: $72,250 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,792 Year 2: $68,079 Year 3: $71,545 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,054 Year 2: $51,482 Year 3: $66,449 General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,414 Year 2: $52,607 Year 3: $64,085 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,998 Year 2: $56,738 Year 3: $61,464 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,852 Year 2: $49,491 Year 3: $54,948 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,724 Year 2: $46,087 Year 3: $54,359 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $36,941 Year 3: $53,191

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between William Paterson University and Rowan University?

William Paterson University (WPUNJ) is a mid-sized public university known for its strong programs in music, business, and education, with a more intimate campus environment. Rowan University, on the other hand, is a larger public research university with a broader range of programs, including engineering and medicine, and a more expansive campus feel. Rowan has experienced significant growth and development in recent years, while William Paterson maintains a more traditional university setting.
Which university is larger, William Paterson or Rowan?

Rowan University is significantly larger than William Paterson University. Rowan has a higher total enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate students, and a larger physical campus.
How do the academic programs compare between the two universities?

Both universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. William Paterson excels in music, communication, and education. Rowan University offers a broader range of programs, including strong engineering, business, and medical programs. Rowan also has a medical school, which William Paterson does not.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

William Paterson offers a more close-knit, community-focused campus environment. Rowan University, being larger, has a more diverse and active campus life with a wider range of student organizations and activities. Rowan's campus has also seen more recent development and expansion.
How do the tuition and fees compare between William Paterson and Rowan?

Tuition and fees can vary depending on residency and program of study. Generally, both are public universities in New Jersey, so tuition is relatively comparable for in-state students. However, Rowan's costs may be slightly higher due to its research university status and expanded facilities. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date and specific cost information.
Which university is better known for its research opportunities?

Rowan University is a designated research university and offers more extensive research opportunities for students, particularly in STEM fields. William Paterson offers research opportunities as well, but they are generally not as extensive as those available at Rowan.
What are the locations of William Paterson and Rowan Universities?

William Paterson University is located in Wayne, New Jersey, a suburban setting in Passaic County. Rowan University's main campus is located in Glassboro, New Jersey, in Gloucester County. Rowan also has a campus in Camden, NJ.
How do the student demographics compare?

Both universities serve diverse student populations. William Paterson has a strong representation of students from northern New Jersey. Rowan draws students from across the state and beyond, with a growing out-of-state population. Both are committed to providing access to higher education for students from various backgrounds.
What kind of student support services are available at each university?

Both William Paterson and Rowan offer a range of student support services, including academic advising, career services, counseling, disability services, and tutoring. The specific services and resources available may vary, so it's best to explore the websites of each university to learn more about their offerings.
Which university is more competitive to get into?

Rowan University is generally considered more competitive to get into than William Paterson University. Rowan's increased popularity and growth have led to a more selective admissions process.
Does either university have a strong focus on a particular career field?

William Paterson has a long-standing reputation for preparing educators and professionals in communication and music. Rowan University has a strong and growing focus on engineering, healthcare, and business, particularly with the addition of its medical school and expanding engineering programs.
What are the athletic programs like at each university?

Both William Paterson and Rowan University offer a variety of NCAA Division III athletic programs. Rowan University's athletic programs are generally more well-known and have a stronger competitive presence. Both universities offer opportunities for students to participate in intercollegiate sports and recreational activities.

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