Understanding William Paterson University Tuition and Fees

William Paterson University strives to make education affordable for all and to provide assistance to students and their families for understanding various funding options. The William Paterson University Board of Trustees is responsible for establishing tuition, fees, housing, and board plan rates. Rates are set by the Board each year at an open public meeting following an annual public hearing each April at which students and the campus community can express their views.

Tuition and Fees Overview

William Paterson University of New Jersey's tuition is $15,704 for in-state and $25,344 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, William Paterson University of New Jersey is more expensive. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,815. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, a graduate student who is a resident of New Jersey would pay $891.75 per credit for tuition and fees.

Total Cost of Attendance

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At William Paterson University of New Jersey, the total cost is $36,710 for in-state students and $46,350 for out-of-state students.

Net Price and Financial Aid

The net price calculator can help you estimate your net price for attending the University. Net price is the difference between the "sticker" price (full cost) to attend, minus any grants and scholarships for which you may be eligible.

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The average net price is $12,967 per year. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 73.5%Average Aid Package: $16,012

Understanding Financial Aid Options

To help eligible students afford a William Paterson education, the University offers grants, student employment, information about loans, tuition waivers programs, and tuition payment plans. Financial Aid: To help eligible graduate students afford a William Paterson education, the University offers graduate assistantships, student employment, information about loans, tuition waiver programs, and tuition payment plans.

Grants are awarded to students based on financial need. To be considered for federal and state grants, students need to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Student loans may be awarded to most students and at various amounts. These do need to be repaid but can help students afford their education up-front. On-campus jobs are available in many of our University offices, offering bi-weekly paychecks for students.

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Scholarships

William Paterson maintains a merit scholarship program for incoming freshman and transfer applicants. Each year close to 2,000 scholarships are awarded totaling over $7 million. In most cases, all accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships; no separate scholarship application is required. Additional scholarship opportunities for incoming and currently enrolled students are also available through the William Paterson University Foundation and the Alumni Association. Scholarships are available for graduate students. Scholarships are a great way to cover your education costs-it’s free money you don’t need to pay back.

Loans and Debt

Aside from grants, the other major way to pay for college is with student loans. The more student loan money you borrow, the more debt you’ll end up with after graduation. Ideally, you want to minimize your student debt as much as possible. It’s generally a bad sign if a school has many students taking out a lot of loans. It’s very common for college grads in the US to graduate with some debt, but high percentages of students taking on loans at a particular school is a big red flag. High numbers of students with loans is a red flag, and William Paterson University is above average.

At William Paterson University, 69% of all students take out federal loans. At William Paterson University, the average annual federal loan amount is $5721. At William Paterson University, 10% of students take out private loans. The average private loan amount at William Paterson University is $11387. The percentage of students getting federal loans is greater than those getting private loans, which is a good sign.

Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines

Financial Aid Application Due: May 1The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers: Qualified out-of-state and international students can now pay close to our affordable in-state rate for tuition and fees. Qualified domestic out-of-state students can now pay our affordable in-state rate for tuition and fees.

Financial Requirements for International Students

International students are not eligible for federal and state financial assistance at William Paterson University. However, students possessing F-1 or J-1 visas may work part-time on campus through the University’s own student employment program. For a list of expenses for the upcoming academic year, please see the William Paterson University I-20/DS-2019 Graduate Financial Requirements Figures. Actual tuition and living expenses may be higher or lower depending on a student’s course load and living situation.

Financial documents must be verified by a bank and dated within the twelve month period prior to the start of the academic program. Students who will be requiring an I-20/DS-2019 for a dependent must submit additional proof of financial support to cover each dependent. Bank account statements that are not under the student’s name must be accompanied by a separate sponsorship letter. The letter must state the relationship between the sponsor and the student and include a statement whereby the sponsor agrees to provide financial support for the student. It is not necessary to submit a financial support statement in order to be at William Paterson University.

A limited number of scholarships are available to international students through our Donor Scholarship Program.

Additional Fees

The Student Government Association Fee, allocated for both non-salary and salary expenditures, is collected by the University on behalf of the Student Government Association (SGA) which is responsible for the allocation and management of the funds. Funds activities associated with new student orientation. Funds the cost to process a regular transcript. Please note, I-20 forms (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status) will not be processed until all documentation has been received.

Affordability Initiatives

William Paterson is committed to providing an exceptional and affordable public higher education. A William Paterson bachelor’s degree is now even more accessible and affordable than ever for New Jersey students with significant financial need.For New Jersey students with a family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less, these programs will cover the cost of tuition and fees that are not already paid by federal and state financial aid or other scholarships. New Jersey students whose families have an annual AGI between $65,001 and $80,000 will pay a discounted net price of no more than $7,500 for tuition and fees per year (for up to four years). Students will be automatically considered in these programs when they have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA) before the deadline.

Estimating Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Once you have a Net Price estimate, you’ll want to figure out whether your family can afford to pay William Paterson University tuition and costs. Once again, the Net Price is the total cost of attending, minus the aid you can expect to get (grants and scholarships). The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline. So we're going to calculate your EFC and compare it to William Paterson University's Net Price. If the Net Price is higher than the EFC, the school will cost more than you can typically afford. This tool will calculate your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC.

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