College of Charleston (CofC) vs William Paterson
College of Charleston and William Paterson University of New Jersey, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. College of Charleston, nestled in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, boasts a vibrant campus and a diverse student body. William Paterson University, located in Wayne, New Jersey, prides itself on its strong academic programs and commitment to community engagement. While both universities share a dedication to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
  | 
       | 
          
        
          
             
          
          College of Charleston | 
          
        
          
             
          
          William Paterson University of New Jersey | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Charleston, South Carolina | Wayne, New Jersey | 
| Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Public | Public | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Semester | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 83.0% | 67.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | Yes | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 76.1% | 83.3% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $60
           
          
            Graduate:
            $60
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $50
           
          
            Graduate:
            $50
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | 1090 - 1280 | N/A | 
| ACT range | 23 - 29 | N/A | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | |
| Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | |
| Total number of applicants | 20,484 | 9,171 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 15,590 | 7,636 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,473 | 995 | 
| Yield rate | 15.9% | 13.0% | 
| Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A | 
| High school GPA | Required | Required | 
| Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required | 
| High school transcript | Required | Not required | 
| English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | 
                         
            In state:
            $30,535
           
          
            Out of state:
            $51,995
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $29,636
           
          
            Out of state:
            $38,374
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $20,255 | $15,762 | 
| Tuition | 
                         
            In state:
            $12,518
           
          
            Out of state:
            $33,978
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $13,778
           
          
            Out of state:
            $22,516
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $8,409
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,550
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $8,062
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,672
           
                   | 
  
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          98.0%
        
         Average amount $9,850  | 
      
              
          73.0%
        
         Average amount $10,710  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          41.0%
        
         Average amount $5,362  | 
      
              
          49.0%
        
         Average amount $5,171  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          9.0%
        
         Average amount $22,293  | 
      
              
          6.0%
        
         Average amount $12,281  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          9,967
        
        
           Men 33.6% Women 66.4%  | 
      
              
          7,219
        
        
           Men 40.9% Women 59.1%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          974
        
        
           Men 22.6% Women 77.4%  | 
      
              
          2,150
        
        
           Men 24.6% Women 75.4%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Low 
    
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | 53.1% | 5.7% | 
| International students | 1.2% | 1.3% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | 3,338 | 2,605 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Carolina New Jersey Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland | New Jersey New York Maryland Pennsylvania Connecticut | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 14:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 67.0% | 56.0% | 
| Dropout rate | 6.0% | 33.1% | 
| Transferred out | 26.3% | 7.6% | 
| Alumni salary by major (Top 10) | 
               
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Hospitality Administration/Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member