William Paterson University of New Jersey vs Rider University: which has better ROI?
Rider University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $99,168 in 7.2 years versus 8 years at William Paterson University of New Jersey, on median earnings of $62,208 vs $57,780 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | William Paterson University of New Jersey | Rider University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,745 | $24,792 |
| Total net cost | $74,980 | $99,168 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,780 | $62,208 |
| Median debt | $22,334 | $26,130 |
| Payback | 8 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $113,420 | $177,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Rider University?
William Paterson University of New Jersey, at $18,745 a year after aid versus $24,792 — a gap of $6,047 a year, or $24,188 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do William Paterson University of New Jersey or Rider University graduates earn more?
Rider University graduates report a median $62,208 ten years after entry, $4,428 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, William Paterson University of New Jersey or Rider University?
William Paterson University of New Jersey: its completers carry a median $22,334 in federal loans versus $26,130 at Rider University, a difference of $3,796. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at Rider 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.