Head-to-head comparison
William Paterson University of New Jersey vs County College of Morris: which has better ROI?
Option A Wayne, NJ
William Paterson University of New Jersey
- Net price / year
- $18,745
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,780
- Payback
- 8 yrs
Option B Randolph, NJ
County College of Morris
- Net price / year
- $8,895
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,243
- Payback
- 9.4 yrs
William Paterson University of New Jersey has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,980 in 8 years versus 9.4 years at County College of Morris, on median earnings of $57,780 vs $50,243 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | William Paterson University of New Jersey | County College of Morris |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,745 | $8,895 |
| Total net cost | $74,980 | $17,790 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,780 | $50,243 |
| Median debt | $22,334 | $9,000 |
| Payback | 8 yrs | 9.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $113,420 | $19,870 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, William Paterson University of New Jersey or County College of Morris?
County College of Morris, at $8,895 a year after aid versus $18,745 — a gap of $9,850 a year, or $57,190 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do William Paterson University of New Jersey or County College of Morris graduates earn more?
William Paterson University of New Jersey graduates report a median $57,780 ten years after entry, $7,537 more than the $50,243 at County College of Morris. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, William Paterson University of New Jersey or County College of Morris?
County College of Morris: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $22,334 at William Paterson University of New Jersey, a difference of $13,334. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
44% of students finish at William Paterson University of New Jersey, against 36% at County College of Morris. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.