William Paterson University of New Jersey Acceptance Rate
Wayne, New Jersey · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 7,754
- Admitted
- 7,174
- Yield
- 12.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, William Paterson University of New Jersey's acceptance rate has risen from 74.6% in 2014–15 to 92.5% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 9,638 to 7,754 (-20%) over that period.
Its 92.5% rate makes William Paterson University of New Jersey more selective than about 15% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 28 tracked New Jersey schools, it is more selective than about 14%.
William Paterson University of New Jersey has been test-optional since 2022–23. Of admitted students, 12.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 9,638 | 7,188 | 74.6% | 1,171 |
| 2015–16 | 9,851 | 7,318 | 74.3% | 1,334 |
| 2016–17 | 10,791 | 8,162 | 75.6% | 1,376 |
| 2017–18 | 7,935 | 7,331 | 92.4% | 1,317 |
| 2018–19 | 8,150 | 7,606 | 93.3% | 1,704 |
| 2019–20 | 11,375 | 8,551 | 75.2% | 1,537 |
| 2020–21 | 10,402 | 8,386 | 80.6% | 1,263 |
| 2021–22 | 9,171 | 7,636 | 83.3% | 995 |
| 2022–23 | 7,062 | 6,464 | 91.5% | 806 |
| 2023–24 | 7,754 | 7,174 | 92.5% | 883 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 4,534 | 4,246 | 93.6% |
| Men | 3,200 | 2,912 | 91% |
| Unknown | 20 | 16 | 80% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
How William Paterson University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is William Paterson University of New Jersey's acceptance rate?
William Paterson University of New Jersey's acceptance rate is 92.5% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (7,174 admitted of 7,754 applicants).
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey test optional?
William Paterson University of New Jersey is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to William Paterson University of New Jersey?
William Paterson University of New Jersey received 7,754 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 7,174.
Is William Paterson University of New Jersey getting harder to get into?
William Paterson University of New Jersey has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 74.6% in 2014–15 to 92.5% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.wpunj.edu/.