Founded in 1855, William Paterson University of New Jersey. is a Public college. Located in New Jersey, which is a city setting in New Jersey, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 9,103 full time undergraduate students, and 1,480 full time graduate students.
The William Paterson University of New Jersey Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 410 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at William Paterson University of New Jersey include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
75%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
890-1080
ACT Range
Admissions at WPU are considered Less Selective, with ,46% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 13 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at William Paterson University of New Jersey.
10%
“We”re apathetic”
26%
“We know about current events and vote”
65%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
32%
“Sometimes, but not often”
45%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
42%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
48%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
32%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
19%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
45%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
32%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
65%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
6%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
26%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
65%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
16%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
52%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
19%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
26%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
48%
“There might be people who do”
19%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
26%
“We know about current events and vote”
65%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
32%
“Sometimes, but not often”
45%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
23%
“All the time, including weekends”
3%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
42%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
48%
“I feel extremely safe”
35%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
32%
“We bought the gear”
32%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
19%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
45%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
32%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
65%
“They keep regular office hours”
26%
“They”re always available”
6%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
26%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
65%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
111 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
80 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
151 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
153 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
153 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
151 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
155 Students rated local services 4 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
154 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.
William Paterson University of New Jersey REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of William Paterson University of New Jersey?
34 Students rated William Paterson University of New Jersey
Drew
03/27/2024
I am satisfied with my decision to attend William Paterson University and plan to get my degree here. There are some amazing professors here at WPU. They are very dedicated, experienced, and personal. They truly care about their students and constantly go above and beyond. The classes are moderately small, allowing for a personal connection to every professor and classmate! The campus is beautiful, woodsy, and secluded. When I'm at William Paterson it's like I'm in a different world. It's like living in a small European city where everyone walks everywhere and you run into your friends all the time. Everything you need is within a 10-minute walk - perfect for students who don't drive. I find it a very easy environment to be productive in. There is a party scene, which is not for everyone. However, there are plenty of dedicated and responsible students to be friends with. It took me a while to find my friends, but that is typical of the college experience in general. The food at the dining hall is decent, especially compared to the horror stories I have heard from friends at other local universities. One of the biggest selling points for me was the price. I am paying for my tuition independently, and William Paterson is the only University that I can afford. I still have to work and apply for scholarships, but William Paterson has the most affordable price out of all the New Jersey Colleges that I applied for. They also offered me the most scholarships. Overall it is a very nice school which I am lucky to attend.
Michael
12/29/2023
William Paterson University of New Jersey was my first choice after visiting a half of dozen schools around New Jersey. It's a large beautiful campus and will likely bring my car and a bike to get around. I was impressed with all that I met and thankfully I have been accepted for the Fall 2024 start as a freshman on early acceptance. The campus is not far from restaurants, malls and housing. The surrounding cities are attractive with possibilities of off campus housing as well.
Samantha
07/24/2020
I love the campus and saw some old friends from high school. Sure Nursing and Performance are competitive, but WPU is the best college in New Jersey. One of my parents is a former alumni / graduate of William Paterson and introduced me to a few professors.
Justin
11/10/2019
I find William Paterson to be a great school to attend. I am a communications student and I was sold on the communications department here on campus. The radio station is fun to get involved in with a variety of shows to take part in or possibly pitch. The music variety is excellent to listen to as well. When it comes to the TV studio and club, the students are motivated with a professor who is exciting to learn from as he is knowledgeable at what he does. If there is one aspect the school needs to improve, it is the dining hall. The food over there can be middle-of-the-barrel at best, atrocious at worst! Thankfully, there are nice spots to eat around campus such as a local smokehouse and a QuickChek that is a walking distance away. Also, the campus is diverse so it is not hard to meet new people/make new friends. It can get rowdy in the residential buildings beyond quiet hours but the dorms are great to sleep in. In general, a superb university to attend courses and to create many enjoyable experiences prior to the post college life.
Anonymous
09/12/2019
One of the more affordable schools in the area. Served its purpose as getting a bachelors degree. AND IF YOU LOVE YOURSELF AT ALL DO NOT TAKE SUSSANA TARDI FOR ANY CLASSES! I MADE THE MISTAKE OF TAKING HER FOR RESEARCH METHOD. THIS IS THE RUDEST MOST CONCEITED PROFESSOR I HAVE EVER TAKEN IN MY LIFE. SHE BELITTLES HER STUDENTS AND EXPECTS YOU TO NOT STAND UP FOR YOURSELF. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO KISS UP TO HER JUST TO GET A C- AND SHE ACCUSED ME OF BEING LAZY. THIS B*tch stirred up so much drama between me and my group mates, but will deny it. Her department is Sociology.
On the other hand your first amendment rights on this campus is violated unless you’re liberal. Be careful of who you decide to be yourself around because people including liberal professors will judge you.
Vanessa
07/23/2019
I am very happy with the education that I am receiving. Willy P have outstanding, well renown professors who are closely involved with the alumni. The library is very well equipped and the staff is trained to assist the users in the most effective way. Even though I am different than the majority of my classmates because I belong to a racial minority and also because of my age, I always feel fairly included . The environment is very safe and cafeteria is awesome!
Tracy
06/27/2019
It has a great art department, helpful and knowledgeable professors! A great reputable school!
JaNaya
06/08/2019
William Paterson University is a great school, the campus is beautiful and the people are welcoming. I knew it was the right school for me ever since I attended Acceptance Students Day. It is not too far from home and they want every one of their students to get involved in an extra curriculum activity. Since I am a business major, they have a 5 year business program. The staff is great, they are always ready to help their student and they always have different options to contacting their students.
Sandra
05/29/2019
I love William Paterson University since I was a junior I took a Phlebotomy certified program and I loved it. The instructors were so nice and the size of the class was perfect. Everybody got to learn something new with no exceptions and the facilities are always well equipped.
kimberly
04/18/2019
My name is Kimberly Williams and I graduated from North Brunswick high and attending William Paterson university. Without a doubt William Paterson is a great school and provided me all the help and needs on my day of taking my placement test. The entire facility brings an excellent involvement for current students and students planning to attend. Not to mention the tasty Delicious various amounts of food they have. It was a great experience and I cant wait to start in the fall.
Elizabeth
04/03/2019
William Paterson is a great school overall! I love attending and love all of my classes. The faculty and staff really want you to succeed and will help you out as much as they can to help you stay on track. The students are very friendly as well! The campus is very easy to navigate once you find your way around.
Tiffany
02/25/2019
My opinion on William Paterson University is Meh. The art program I think is fantastic-- however, living on campus is a not so fantastic experience. There's always litter in the lobbies, litter on the streets-- not to mention walking to the dorms are super sketchy and scary-- especially at night. There's not that much variety to food and I barely eat since I can be a very picky person. William Paterson has its downs but also its ups-- which is the art program. Thats pretty much it in my opinion. I plan to transfer to Montclair State University.
Pedro
02/21/2019
it is a good schools and hopefully i can come back in the fall to start my freshman year
Megan
12/05/2018
William Paterson University was by far my favorite University I have visited. Touring the campus, with the very friendly and helpful tour guides made me fall in love with the campus. I am so beyond happy that I got accepted into this university! And I wait to attend here in the fall!
Kaitlyn
11/20/2018
The campus itself is absolutely beautiful. All of the buildings are on the newer side and the small/large group studies rooms in a few of the newer halls are great for studying with classmates and friends. The professors are quite accommodating and let their students know what is expected out of them. There isn't an overwhelming drug or alcohol atmosphere on campus which definitely helps to make everyone feel safer. I am not a fan of the way they pick the the first semester's schedule for incoming freshmen, but the classes assigned are major-specific for the most part. William Paterson University overall overcame my expectations of what college would be back in June when I graduated high school.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for William Paterson University of New Jersey is 75%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
i would tell myself to get ready for the best time, but hardest part of my life. College is fun but you must know when to be serious about your studies and when to play around. Life is serious business and you must dedicate yourself to long nights and early mornings in order to achieve what you want in college.
All students who like a mid size campus where a person does not get lost in the crowd. it is a close community and friendly. It has many activiites for students. A student who is hard working and wants to succeed.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
The students at William Paterson are just so friendly and down to earth. The activites on campus are fun because the students at the college do everything possible to make sure the other students have a great time.
I personally love the campus and campus life. Some people may find that there are too many hills and stairs but I find that the geography of the campus helps prevent the "Freshman 15". In the Fall, campus is the most beautiful with the trees and flowers bloomed just before they fall. In the winter, campus is majestic with the snow sitting on the bare branches. In the Spring, the campus is amazing and full of life. Over all, Willy P is a friendly enviroment.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I would have known that there was not much to do on the weekends here. Although I do find things to do, I feel like it is routine and nothing really that exciting. It is hard to have fun here without spending a lot of money. Also, if you do not have a car and you live on campus, there is rarely anything to do on the weekends.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
89% of students attending William Paterson University of New Jersey receive some sort of financial aid.
49% were awarded federal grants.68%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.