Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
William Paterson University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth throughout their early to mid-career period. Median earnings progress from $44,928 six years after enrollment to $52,612 at eight years and $57,780 at ten years, representing 28.6% growth between the six-year and ten-year measurement points.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings exceed the peer average, indicating above-typical outcomes for this institution type.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $22,334 in debt with typical earnings.
William Paterson University graduates complete their education with median debt of $22,334, slightly above the peer median of $21,105 but within reasonable ranges for public university graduates. Debt levels vary considerably, with the 25th percentile borrowing $7,500 and the 75th percentile reaching $27,000, indicating that one quarter of graduates complete their degrees with minimal borrowing while others require more substantial loans.
William Paterson University delivers above average return on investment, ranking at the 70.8th percentile nationally with strong performance driven by exceptional earnings beyond expectations. Graduates earn $16,311 more than predicted based on student demographics and institutional characteristics, placing the university at the 92.1st percentile for value-added performance.
Approximately 21.8% of William Paterson University graduates continue to graduate or professional school, indicating the university prepares students ...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings at William Paterson University demonstrate the institution's diverse strengths across health, business, and technology fields. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads with $85,837 median earnings, reflecting high demand and compensation in healthcare professions.
Artificial Intelligence produces $73,887, positioning graduates for technology sector opportunities with strong growth potential. Business programs span from Banking and Financial Support Services at $65,568 to Accounting Technology at $61,075, providing multiple pathways to solid business careers.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at William Paterson University spans from $36,177 at the 25th percentile to $80,501 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.2:1 ratio that reflects variation across academic programs and individual career paths. Low-income graduates earn $46,300, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds who comprise nearly half the student body.
