William Paterson University of New Jersey ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$60,600
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,928/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
6.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
228%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
William Paterson University's in-state tuition costs $15,150 per year. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $39,514. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $44,928, and after ten years, earnings reach $57,780. The median debt for graduates is $22,334, and 41.7% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for William Paterson University graduates is favorable. The median debt of $22,334 is less than the one-year median salary of $39,514. The break-even point, or the time it takes for graduates to earn back their tuition costs, is less than one year based on the one-year earnings.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$15,150
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,334
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,928
Graduation Rate
52%
Receive Financial Aid
42%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $44,968 | 229% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,283 | 206% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $60,860 | 753% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,605 | 415% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $85,837 | 1578% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $53,274 | 503% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,866 | 457% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $76,932 | 1284% |
| Sociology | $47,757 | 321% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,075 | 761% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,568 | 909% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $73,887 | 1183% |
Peer Comparison
228%
20yr ROI
389%
20yr ROI
559%
20yr ROI
399%
20yr ROI
270%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.