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Paterson, New Jersey with NYC skyline in backgroundPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Paterson

Paterson is home to Passaic County Community College

Passaic County Community College (4,748 students on campus) is inside the city, and Montclair State University (20,428) is 4.2 miles from the center, in Montclair Township. About 5% of Paterson’s residents are enrolled in college, below New Jersey (6%).

Passaic County Community CollegeWilliam Paterson University of New JerseyMontclair State UniversityBergen Community CollegeFelician University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Paterson. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
72
291,001 students on campus
Nearest college
0.4 mi
Passaic County
Residents in college
5%
Below NJ (6%)
Nearest community college
0.4 mi
Passaic County · $6,300 tuition
Nearest public university
2.9 mi
William Paterson University of New Jersey · $15,704 in-state
Median household income
$56K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Paterson

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Five colleges within 4.8 milesWilliam Paterson University of New Jersey admits 90% of applicants; Montclair State University admits 88%. Together they have 42,213 students on campus.A community college 0.4 miles awayPassaic County Community College in Paterson: tuition and fees $6,300 a year for New Jersey residents.In-state price at William Paterson University of New JerseyLiving in New Jersey, William Paterson University of New Jersey charges $15,704 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $25,344. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsBelow New Jersey (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Paterson

51 private colleges within 15 miles, 14 public colleges within 14.8 miles, and nine community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miColumbiaHunter (CUNY)Montclair StatePaterson
University or collegeCommunity college
Passaic County Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,748 on campus · In Paterson$8knet price19%graduate$37kearningsTuition and fees: $6,300 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Berkeley College-Woodland ParkUniversity or college · For-profit · 964 on campus · 1.8 mi · Woodland Park · mostly online$27knet price44%graduate$40kearnings52% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.William Paterson University of New JerseyUniversity or college · Public · 5,114 on campus · 2.9 mi · Wayne90%admitted$19knet price44%graduate$58kearningsMontclair State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 20,428 on campus · 4.2 mi · Montclair88%admitted$16knet price65%graduate$61kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Bergen Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 9,883 on campus · 4.6 mi · Paramus$10knet price21%graduate$47kearningsTuition and fees: $4,913 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Felician UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,040 on campus · 4.8 mi · Lodi$40knet price47%graduate$58kearningsHackensack Meridian School of MedicineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 567 on campus · 5.6 mi · NutleyGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Jersey CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 4,089 on campus · 6.6 mi · Teterboro68%admitted$53knet price45%graduate$66kearningsEastwick College-HackensackUniversity or college · For-profit · 874 on campus · 6.7 mi · Hackensack$30knet price43%graduate$40kearningsFairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 6,596 on campus · 7.1 mi · Teaneck91%admitted$15knet price53%graduate$57kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Eastwick College-NutleyUniversity or college · For-profit · 456 on campus · 7.3 mi · Nutley$17knet price57%graduate$43kearningsCaldwell UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,822 on campus · 8.1 mi · Caldwell71%admitted$25knet price57%graduate$54kearningsBloomfield College of Montclair State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 851 on campus · 8.4 mi · Bloomfield70%admitted$28knet price38%graduate$61kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Eastwick College-RamseyUniversity or college · For-profit · 929 on campus · 10 mi · Ramsey$27knet price75%graduate$52kearningsRamapo College of New JerseyUniversity or college · Public · 5,272 on campus · 11.5 mi · Mahwah71%admitted$18knet price70%graduate$68kearningsNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · Public · 12,314 on campus · 12 mi · Newark65%admitted$17knet price73%graduate$84kearningsRutgers University-NewarkUniversity or college · Public · 9,695 on campus · 12.2 mi · Newark71%admitted$20knet price64%graduate$74kearningsEarnings are reported for all 3 campuses that file with it.Essex County CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,890 on campus · 12.2 mi · Newark$4knet price20%graduate$37kearningsTuition and fees: $5,415 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Pillar CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 549 on campus · 12.2 mi · Newark$8knet price38%graduate$46kearningsSeton Hall UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 8,564 on campus · 12.7 mi · South Orange73%admitted$31knet price69%graduate$70kearningsBarnard CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,223 on campus · 12.7 mi · New York, NY9%admitted$29knet price93%graduate$81kearningsManhattan School of MusicUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,092 on campus · 12.7 mi · New York, NY41%admitted$52knet price78%graduate$27kearningsBoricua CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 479 on campus · 12.7 mi · New York, NY$15knet price81%graduate$35kearningsBank Street College of EducationUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 375 on campus · 12.7 mi · New York, NYGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 301 on campus · 12.7 mi · New York, NY49%admitted$43knet price90%graduate$93kearningsUnion Theological Seminary in the City of New YorkUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 181 on campus · 12.7 mi · New York, NYGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Columbia University in the City of New YorkUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 33,821 on campus · 12.8 mi · New York, NY4%admitted$22knet price96%graduate$102kearningsTeachers College at Columbia UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 4,145 on campus · 12.8 mi · New York, NY$73kearningsGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.CUNY City CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 14,011 on campus · 13 mi · New York, NY60%admitted$4knet price57%graduate$66kearningsYeshiva UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 5,646 on campus · 13 mi · New York, NY56%admitted$50knet price83%graduate$71kearningsUniversity of Mount Saint VincentUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,763 on campus · 13.3 mi · Bronx, NY85%admitted$22knet price57%graduate$66kearningsAmerican Musical and Dramatic AcademyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,500 on campus · 13.4 mi · New York, NY24%admitted$41knet price72%graduate$27kearningsCUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeUniversity or college · Public · 10,648 on campus · 13.5 mi · New York, NY57%admitted$3knet price56%graduate$56kearningsThe Juilliard SchoolUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 914 on campus · 13.5 mi · New York, NY9%admitted$44knet price93%graduate$38kearningsEastern International College-Jersey CityUniversity or college · For-profit · 474 on campus · 13.5 mi · Jersey City70%admitted$21knet price34%graduate$35kearningsCUNY Bronx Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,819 on campus · 13.7 mi · Bronx, NY$4knet price16%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $5,206 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Manhattan UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,425 on campus · 13.7 mi · Riverdale, NY79%admitted$27knet price64%graduate$86kearningsStevens Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 7,939 on campus · 13.8 mi · Hoboken48%admitted$41knet price87%graduate$109kearningsHudson County Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,008 on campus · 13.8 mi · Jersey City$7knet price26%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,384 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Saint Peter's UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,905 on campus · 13.8 mi · Jersey City90%admitted$12knet price58%graduate$58kearningsHelene Fuld College of NursingUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 722 on campus · 13.8 mi · New York, NY17%admitted$47knet price$111kearningsNew York College of Podiatric MedicineUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 349 on campus · 13.9 mi · New York, NYGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Beth Medrash Meor YitzchokUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 222 on campus · 13.9 mi · Monsey, NY53%admitted$13knet price21%graduateCUNY Hostos Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,730 on campus · 14 mi · Bronx, NY$5knet price16%graduate$40kearningsTuition and fees: $5,254 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,234 on campus · 14 mi · New York, NYGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Mandl School-The College of Allied HealthUniversity or college · For-profit · 465 on campus · 14 mi · New York, NY$36knet price48%graduate$39kearningsMount Sinai Phillips School of NursingUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 273 on campus · 14.1 mi · New York, NY100%graduate$97kearningsMonroe UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · 6,528 on campus · 14.2 mi · Bronx, NY68%admitted$15knet price57%graduate$41kearningsCUNY Lehman CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 9,712 on campus · 14.3 mi · Bronx, NY57%admitted$3knet price51%graduate$58kearningsTouro UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 8,219 on campus · 14.3 mi · New York, NY61%admitted$30knet price72%graduate$53kearningsDominican University New YorkUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,324 on campus · 14.4 mi · Orangeburg, NY63%admitted$42knet price53%graduate$61kearningsCUNY Hunter CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 22,220 on campus · 14.5 mi · New York, NY54%admitted$3knet price57%graduate$63kearningsFashion Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · Public · 7,796 on campus · 14.5 mi · New York, NY60%admitted$19knet price81%graduate$63kearningsMarymount Manhattan CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,646 on campus · 14.6 mi · New York, NY83%admitted$37knet price49%graduate$49kearningsSwedish Institute a College of Health SciencesUniversity or college · For-profit · 1,160 on campus · 14.6 mi · New York, NY$30knet price57%graduate$30kearningsYeshivath ViznitzUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,148 on campus · 14.6 mi · Monsey, NY$9knet price69%graduateCUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,093 on campus · 14.6 mi · New York, NY$6knet price23%graduateTuition and fees: $5,194 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.LIM CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 929 on campus · 14.6 mi · New York, NY96%admitted$39knet price51%graduate$59kearningsSUNY College of OptometryUniversity or college · Public · 394 on campus · 14.6 mi · New York, NYGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.New York School of Interior DesignUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 341 on campus · 14.6 mi · New York, NY63%admitted$45knet price69%graduate$48kearningsNew Jersey City UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 4,151 on campus · 14.7 mi · Jersey City98%admitted$16knet price34%graduate$53kearningsSt. Thomas Aquinas CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,949 on campus · 14.7 mi · Sparkill, NY93%admitted$20knet price54%graduate$63kearningsBerkeley College-New YorkUniversity or college · For-profit · 691 on campus · 14.7 mi · New York, NY · mostly online$34knet price44%graduate$46kearnings64% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.CUNY Graduate School and University CenterUniversity or college · Public · 4,811 on campus · 14.8 mi · New York, NY68%admitted$66kearningsSotheby's Institute of Art-NYUniversity or college · For-profit · 168 on campus · 14.8 mi · New York, NYGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New YorkCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 225 on campus · 14.9 mi · New York, NY92%admitted$56knet price96%graduate$27kearningsTuition and fees: $40,650 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Earnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Yeshiva Shaarei Torah of RocklandUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 141 on campus · 14.9 mi · Suffern, NY37%admitted$11knet price$90kearningsYeshiva Shaar EphraimUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 138 on campus · 14.9 mi · Monsey, NY$11knet price6%graduateCochran School of NursingCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 112 on campus · 14.9 mi · Yonkers, NY$100kearningsWeill Medical College of Cornell UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,386 on campus · 15 mi · New York, NY$104kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Graduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.New York Conservatory for Dramatic ArtsUniversity or college · For-profit · 286 on campus · 15 mi · New York, NYMechon L'hoyroaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 124 on campus · 15 mi · Monsey, NY

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Paterson’s median household income ($55,997) falls.

Pillar College12.2 mi · Newark · sticker $38,047$3,181a year
Columbia University in the City of New York12.8 mi · New York, NY · sticker $89,472$5,866a year
CUNY Hunter College14.5 mi · New York, NY · sticker $13,905$6,003a year
Essex County College12.2 mi · Newark · sticker $12,506 · tuition $5,415$6,135a year
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice13.5 mi · New York, NY · sticker $14,212$6,760a year
CUNY City College13 mi · New York, NY · sticker $14,403$6,811a year
CUNY Lehman College14.3 mi · Bronx, NY · sticker $14,121$6,834a year
CUNY Bronx Community College13.7 mi · Bronx, NY · sticker $12,677 · tuition $5,206$7,190a year
CUNY Hostos Community College14 mi · Bronx, NY · sticker $13,069 · tuition $5,254$7,615a year
Passaic County Community CollegeIn Paterson · sticker $13,754 · tuition $6,300$7,694a year
CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College14.6 mi · New York, NY · sticker $13,179 · tuition $5,194$8,220a year
Hudson County Community College13.8 mi · Jersey City · sticker $15,469 · tuition $5,384$8,858a year
Saint Peter's University13.8 mi · Jersey City · sticker $50,272$9,952a year
Yeshiva Shaarei Torah of Rockland14.9 mi · Suffern, NY · sticker $22,780$10,753a year
Bergen Community College4.6 mi · Paramus · sticker $17,184 · tuition $4,913$10,964a year
Yeshivath Viznitz14.6 mi · Monsey, NY · sticker $20,397$11,493a year
Yeshiva Shaar Ephraim14.9 mi · Monsey, NY · sticker $22,510$11,998a year
Beth Medrash Meor Yitzchok13.9 mi · Monsey, NY · sticker $25,700$14,729a year
Monroe University14.2 mi · Bronx, NY · sticker $28,285$14,847a year
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus7.1 mi · Teaneck · sticker $50,305$15,057a year
New Jersey Institute of Technology12 mi · Newark · sticker $32,859$15,958a year
Montclair State University4.2 mi · Montclair · sticker $28,305$16,388a year
New Jersey City University14.7 mi · Jersey City · sticker $28,255$17,587a year
Rutgers University-Newark12.2 mi · Newark · sticker $35,654$17,806a year
Ramapo College of New Jersey11.5 mi · Mahwah · sticker $29,483$18,074a year
William Paterson University of New Jersey2.9 mi · Wayne · sticker $28,476$18,505a year
Eastwick College-Nutley7.3 mi · Nutley · sticker $26,454$18,531a year
Barnard College12.7 mi · New York, NY · sticker $89,538$19,094a year
Fashion Institute of Technology14.5 mi · New York, NY · sticker $26,838$20,406a year
University of Mount Saint Vincent13.3 mi · Bronx, NY · sticker $54,170$22,575a year
Caldwell University8.1 mi · Caldwell · sticker $54,073$22,793a year
Boricua College12.7 mi · New York, NY · sticker $24,213$23,253a year
St. Thomas Aquinas College14.7 mi · Sparkill, NY · sticker $53,370$24,110a year
Eastwick College-Ramsey10 mi · Ramsey · sticker $32,704$26,923a year
Seton Hall University12.7 mi · South Orange · sticker $68,263$27,194a year
Yeshiva University13 mi · New York, NY · sticker $70,892$28,207a year
Manhattan University13.7 mi · Riverdale, NY · sticker $64,348$28,454a year
Touro University14.3 mi · New York, NY · sticker $40,500$29,054a year
Berkeley College-Woodland Park1.8 mi · Woodland Park · mostly online · sticker $44,691$29,284a year
Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences14.6 mi · New York, NY · sticker $35,629$29,494a year
Eastwick College-Hackensack6.7 mi · Hackensack · sticker $33,359$29,741a year
Bloomfield College of Montclair State University8.4 mi · Bloomfield · sticker $42,035$30,908a year
Marymount Manhattan College14.6 mi · New York, NY · sticker $65,767$32,459a year
Stevens Institute of Technology13.8 mi · Hoboken · sticker $79,790$33,102a year
Berkeley College-New York14.7 mi · New York, NY · mostly online · sticker $45,041$33,533a year
Mandl School-The College of Allied Health14 mi · New York, NY · sticker $43,113$35,901a year
LIM College14.6 mi · New York, NY · sticker $53,064$39,565a year
The Juilliard School13.5 mi · New York, NY · sticker $83,892$40,705a year
Felician University4.8 mi · Lodi · sticker $50,316$41,909a year
Dominican University New York14.4 mi · Orangeburg, NY · sticker $47,802$42,353a year
Helene Fuld College of Nursing13.8 mi · New York, NY · sticker $51,340$43,023a year
American Musical and Dramatic Academy13.4 mi · New York, NY · sticker $65,647$43,968a year
Manhattan School of Music12.7 mi · New York, NY · sticker $77,703$46,638a year
New York School of Interior Design14.6 mi · New York, NY · sticker $48,730$47,685a year
Jersey College6.6 mi · Teterboro · sticker $56,461$53,601a year
American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York14.9 mi · New York, NY · sticker $62,554 · tuition $40,650$57,280a year
Jewish Theological Seminary of America12.7 mi · New York, NY · sticker $85,945—a year
Eastern International College-Jersey City13.5 mi · Jersey City · sticker $26,182—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Paterson: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Montclair StateNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyColumbiaCity College (CUNY)CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeHunter (CUNY)
Columbia University in the City of New York96% graduate$102k earnings$22k typical debt
CUNY Hunter College57% graduate$63k earnings$11k typical debt
Montclair State University65% graduate$61k earnings*$22k typical debt
CUNY City College57% graduate$66k earnings$12k typical debt
New Jersey Institute of Technology73% graduate$84k earnings$21k typical debt
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice56% graduate$56k earnings$11k typical debt
Bergen Community College21% graduate$47k earnings$12k typical debt
CUNY Lehman College51% graduate$58k earnings$11k typical debt
Rutgers University-Newark64% graduate$74k earnings*$22k typical debt
Seton Hall University69% graduate$70k earnings$23k typical debt
Touro University72% graduate$53k earnings$16k typical debt
Stevens Institute of Technology87% graduate$109k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Montclair State (2); Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus (2); Bloomfield College of Montclair State (2); Rutgers University-Newark (3); American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York (2).

Majors

What students study in Paterson

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Passaic County Community College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 25%Public safety 20%Health professions 12%Business 12%Education 8%Computer science 8%Everything else 15%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities210 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General69 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing64 graduates a year
$112k4 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General40 graduates a year
$66k4 yrs out
Social Work36 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Paterson

Is Paterson a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Paterson residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below New Jersey (6). The largest campus in the city, Passaic County Community College, has 4,748 students on campus.

What colleges are in Paterson?

Passaic County Community College is inside the city. Montclair State University is 4.2 miles from the center, in Montclair Township, Bergen Community College is 4.6 miles from the center, in Paramus, and William Paterson University of New Jersey is 2.9 miles from the center, in Wayne Township.

What is the closest community college to Paterson, and what does it cost?

Passaic County Community College in Paterson, 0.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,300 a year for New Jersey residents; the federal net price, $7,761, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does William Paterson University of New Jersey cost if we live in New Jersey?

Tuition and fees are $15,704 a year in-state and $25,344 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $16,171 (under $30,000 income) to $24,917 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Paterson. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →