Stockton University vs William Paterson University of New Jersey: which has better ROI?
William Paterson University of New Jersey has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,980 in 8 years versus 8.9 years at Stockton University, on median earnings of $57,780 vs $57,602 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Stockton University | William Paterson University of New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,670 | $18,745 |
| Total net cost | $82,680 | $74,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,602 | $57,780 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $22,334 |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $102,160 | $113,420 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Stockton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?
William Paterson University of New Jersey, at $18,745 a year after aid versus $20,670 — a gap of $1,925 a year, or $7,700 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Stockton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates earn more?
William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates report a median $57,780 ten years after entry, $178 more than the $57,602 at Stockton University. 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, Stockton University or William Paterson University of New Jersey?
Stockton 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?
69% of students finish at Stockton 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.