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William Paterson University

Wayne, New Jersey

10,000 Students on Campus
Wayne Location
520,000 Metro Population
10,000 Students on Campus
Wayne Location
520,000 Metro Population

About This Campus

A leading public University with nearly 10,000 students, William Paterson University offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates through its four academic colleges: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Cotsakos College of Business; Education; and Science and Health. Founded in 1855, William Paterson is one of the oldest and most diverse public universities in New Jersey.

William Paterson’s faculty members provide a valuable blend of accomplished scholarship and practical, applied experience. Among the University’s faculty are numerous Fulbright scholars and recipients of numerous other awards, grants, and fellowships. Students benefit from individualized attention from faculty mentors, small class sizes, and numerous research, internship, and clinical experiences.

Participation in the many public service opportunities offered on campus and in the surrounding communities is encouraged.

Numerous cultural activités are easily accessed on campus, in nearby communities and in New York City.

Hiking trails in a 1,200 acre forest preserve are adjacent to campus, where deer, wild turkey and black bear are frequently spotted.

Helpful Information

We welcome NSE students from nearly all disciplines. However, due to high demand, we cannot accept exchange students in our nursing program. State licensure requirements may limit access to certain advanced teacher preparation courses. NSE students are welcome to participate in our music or art studio courses but may need to provide evidence of proficiency. It is also advisable to begin the course registration process early as some course sections can fill up quickly.

Off campus housing is not readily available near campus commuting. We advise exchange students to apply early for on-campus housing. Our vibrant campus life includes housing for 1,800 students in 8 residence halls, more than 100 student clubs and organizations; 13 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports teams; and 31 club sports and intra-murals, including nationally ranked club teams in ice hockey, bowling, and rugby. Our world-renowned Music program offers numerous opportunities to attend public performances.

Location Information

William Paterson University's 407-acre wooded campus is located in suburban Wayne, New Jersey, just 20 miles from New York City, adjacent to 1,200 acres of wetlands and woodlands, and only three miles from the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (https://www.nps.gov/pagr/index.htm). New Jersey Transit bus service is available on campus for direct travel to NY City, shopping and other transit hubs in less than an hour.

Use the following link for a virtual tour of the William Paterson campus: https://www.wpunj.edu/virtualtour/

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/26/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/12/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/22/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/13/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Nursing, Teacher Education (Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary)

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Students wishing to take Music and Studio Art classes need to demonstrate proficiency.

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

All students may need to provide unofficial transcripts if they wish to register in courses with pre-requisites.

OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Not Available
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? - J1 Visa

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/18/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $8096
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $278
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 19
  • Host Payment: 19
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Activity Fee
$61.82
Term
Away
Mandatory
Campus Facilities
$26.78
Term
Away
Mandatory
Athletic Fee
$120.8
Term
Away
Mandatory
Resnet
$40
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Technology Fee
$150
Term
Away
Mandatory
Housing Fee
$150
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/18/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $5183
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

On campus housing is strongly recommended. While off campus housing may be available, it is limited and typically requires a car or public transportation to reach campus. On-campus housing options includes traditional residence halls as well as on-campus apartments.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

While off campus housing may be available, it is limited and typically requires a car or public transportation to reach campus. WP does not provide services for locating off-campus housing.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $3000
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

There are 6 different meals plans for traditional on-campus housing. Commuter plans are available for students living off-campus or in on-campus apartments.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: