Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Rowan University vs William Paterson University of New Jersey: which has better ROI?

Public, Glassboro NJ · vs · Public, Wayne NJ

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Rowan University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,632 in 7.7 years versus 8 years at William Paterson University of New Jersey, on median earnings of $59,988 vs $57,780 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRowan UniversityWilliam Paterson University of New Jersey
Net price / yr$22,408$18,745
Total net cost$89,632$74,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$59,988$57,780
Median debt$20,500$22,334
Payback7.7 yrs8 yrs
20-year net return$142,928$113,420

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Rowan University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?

William Paterson University of New Jersey, at $18,745 a year after aid versus $22,408 — a gap of $3,663 a year, or $14,652 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rowan University or William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates earn more?

Rowan University graduates report a median $59,988 ten years after entry, $2,208 more than the $57,780 at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Rowan University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?

Rowan University: its completers carry a median $20,500 in federal loans versus $22,334 at William Paterson University of New Jersey, a difference of $1,834. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Rowan University, against 44% at William Paterson University of New Jersey. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Rowan University vs William Paterson University of New Jersey: frequently asked questions

Is Rowan University or William Paterson University of New Jersey a better value?
Rowan University. It clears its $89,632 net cost in about 7.7 years versus 8 years at William Paterson University of New Jersey, on median earnings of $59,988 vs $57,780 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Rowan University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?
William Paterson University of New Jersey: $18,745/yr net price after aid versus $22,408/yr at Rowan University — a difference of $3,663 a year, or about $14,652 over four years.
Do Rowan University or William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates earn more?
Rowan University graduates earn a median $59,988 ten years after entry, versus $57,780 at William Paterson University of New Jersey — a $2,208 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.