William Paterson University of New Jersey — ROI, Cost & Payback
William Paterson University of New Jersey charges a net price of $18,745/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $74,980. Graduates earn a median $57,780 ten years after entry, $9,420/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8 years — a 20-year net return of $113,420, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
William Paterson University of New Jersey's 8-year payback ranks #693 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 46% of them, and #22 of 78 in New Jersey.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $18,745/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $74,980 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $57,780 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $9,420/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,334 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $113,420 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on William Paterson University of New Jersey's own numbers. Net price $18,745 × 4 years = $74,980 total. Median earnings $57,780 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,420 a year of premium. $74,980 ÷ $9,420 = 8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $113,420. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate with?
A median $22,334 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $57,780 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of William Paterson University of New Jersey students graduate?
44% finish their degree — 56% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $74,980 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $170,409 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey expensive compared with other New Jersey colleges?
Its $18,745 net price runs $1,673 below the $20,418 median across the 78 New Jersey colleges we profile, and $6,690 less across the full degree.