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William Paterson University of New Jersey

#442 in US ranking Wayne, NJ
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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William Paterson University of New Jersey award

Cost

Cost / year
$29,596
Tuition & fees
$16,748
Avg. aid
$10,234
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
90%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
44%
Median salary
$45,453
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of William Paterson University of New Jersey?

William Paterson University holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation is a review of the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation of an individual professional program.

Accreditation matters because attendance at an eligible, accredited institution is one condition for participation in federal student aid programs. It does not automatically mean that credits will transfer elsewhere or that a degree satisfies a particular state's licensing rules. Applicants to regulated fields such as nursing and teacher education should check the current accreditation and approval status of their specific program, along with the rules in the state where they expect to practice.

What are the admission requirements at William Paterson University of New Jersey?

First-year applicants generally apply with a high school transcript showing graduation or an accepted equivalent credential. The university considers the secondary school record and GPA; completion of a college-preparatory curriculum is part of its reported admissions criteria.

SAT and ACT scores are considered rather than universally required in the reported admissions criteria, as are recommendations. Applicants should check the policy for their application term and intended program before deciding whether to submit optional materials. Students educated in another language may need to document English proficiency; the reported requirements identify TOEFL as one accepted requirement, but applicants should confirm current test options and exemptions. Programs with clinical, artistic, or other specialized work may have additional steps.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, William Paterson admitted 8,256 of 9,165 applicants, or about 90%. That institution-wide rate describes a past applicant pool; it is not a guarantee of admission to a particular major. Applicants should use the current admissions instructions for deadlines and for any category-specific requirements.

What are the application fees and waivers at William Paterson University of New Jersey?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $50. An application fee is a charge for processing an application, not a tuition payment or a deposit that reserves a place in the class.

Applicants who qualify for a fee waiver should review the waiver options in the application they use and request one before submitting payment. Eligibility and procedures can differ for first-year, transfer, graduate, and special-program applicants; the current application instructions should control if they differ from the reported standard fee. Students should not assume that receiving financial aid automatically waives an application fee.

What types of ROTC programs are available at William Paterson University of New Jersey?

Air Force ROTC participation is reported as available to William Paterson students through a cooperating host institution rather than a unit based on the Wayne campus. Students considering it should confirm the current host, cross-enrollment procedure, travel schedule, and whether required ROTC classes fit their degree plan.

ROTC participation and ROTC scholarships are separate decisions. Scholarship eligibility varies, and commissioning ordinarily carries a military service obligation. An applicant interested in another military branch should verify a current cross-enrollment arrangement with that branch's ROTC program before relying on it as an enrollment option.

What are the requirements for transfer students at William Paterson University of New Jersey?

William Paterson accepts transfer applications and generally considers college credit from other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is reported for fall, spring, and summer, making it relevant to students who do not plan to start in September.

Applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from every college attended and to check whether their academic history calls for a high school record as well. Admission to the university does not mean every previous course will apply to a chosen major: a course may transfer as elective credit without meeting a specific requirement. Some majors may also have separate admission standards or course-sequence constraints.

The university reports accepting several forms of evaluated prior learning, including CLEP, DSST, and credit associated with American Council on Education recommendations. Before enrolling, transfer applicants should seek an official credit evaluation and a degree audit showing which general education, major, and remaining residency requirements they must complete at William Paterson.

What types of study abroad programs are available at William Paterson University of New Jersey?

William Paterson students interested in study abroad should explore university-approved international study options and academic advising before choosing a destination or outside provider. The key distinction is between finding a program that accepts a student and obtaining approval for its courses to count toward a William Paterson degree.

Available destinations, term lengths, and faculty-led opportunities can change. Students should establish how proposed courses will transfer, whether a major has tightly sequenced requirements, and what travel, housing, insurance, and program charges add to the cost. Financial aid may apply differently depending on the program and enrollment arrangement, so approval from both academic advisers and the financial aid office matters before paying a deposit.

William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions Factors

Acceptance rate
90%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
90%
New Jersey
78%
US
78%

13% of admitted students enrolled (1,037 of 8,256)

William Paterson University of New Jersey Admissions

Applicants
Total: 9,165
Admission
Total: 8,256
Enrolled
Total: 1,037
Women
Men

How to Apply to William Paterson University of New Jersey

Regular application deadline

June 1

Application fee

$50

Early Action

No

William Paterson University of New Jersey First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 952
Out-of-state: 47
International: 37

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,037
Transfer: 929

William Paterson University of New Jersey Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

William Paterson University of New Jersey Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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