At $17,764/yr net price, William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates earn $57,780/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,780/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,764 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $71,056 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,780/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,780/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,334 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,420/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,010/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,978/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,823/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,237/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $76,946 | $21,793 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $68,079 | $40,758 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,238 | $21,066 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $64,493 | $26,449 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $59,722 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $56,738 | $27,245 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $52,607 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $52,420 | $24,020 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $51,482 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $49,491 | $20,834 |
The Risk Factor
47.7% of students at William Paterson University of New Jersey graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
William Paterson gives you a mixed financial return that leans on your major more than the school name. Median earnings ten years out sit below $60k, and with a net price close to $18k a year, the payoff depends heavily on what you study. The 47.7% graduation rate is the biggest risk here: fewer than half of you finish, and if you leave with debt and no degree, the math turns bad fast.
Nursing is the clear winner. Graduates earn roughly $77k while carrying less debt than most other majors on campus, which puts your loan balance well under one year of pay. That premium matters in the North Jersey and New York metro market, where hospital demand is steady. Everything else clusters lower. Marketing, math, and computer science all land near $51-53k, which is a modest return for the price. Computer science graduates carry the heaviest debt at $25,500 while earning about $25k less than nursing peers, so the tech path here pays less than you might expect. Teacher education pays the least of the top programs but comes with the lowest debt, which softens the blow.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $15,400. if you earn over $110k, you pay about $23,200. That flat structure means lower-income families still owe a real bill, and the school does not get dramatically cheaper for those who need it most.
This school fits you if you enter nursing or another health field and are confident you will graduate. If you plan to major in one of the mid-tier programs and are unsure about finishing, the combination of a low grad rate, real debt, and sub-$60k median earnings makes the risk hard to justify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey worth the cost?
William Paterson offers decent value for specific programs, particularly nursing and communication disorders, but the overall 47% graduation rate and $57,780 median earnings create mixed ROI. The relatively low net price of $17,764 helps, but students should target high-paying programs to maximize value.
What are the best paying majors at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
Nursing programs lead with $76,946 median earnings, followed by communication disorders at $68,079 and business administration at $65,238. These programs significantly outperform the school's overall median earnings of $57,780.
How much debt do William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $22,334, which is manageable compared to national averages. However, with nearly half of students not completing their degree, the debt-to-completion risk is concerning for students who don't finish.
Does William Paterson University of New Jersey have good financial aid?
The net price of $17,764 per year suggests reasonable financial aid for a state university. This lower cost helps offset the moderate post-graduation earnings, making it accessible for students targeting the school's stronger programs.