[5] The original manor house was built in 1877 in the style of a castle, and was the home of John McCullough, a Scottish immigrant who made a fortune in the wool industry.

The change of name honored William Paterson, who was the state's first senator, its second governor, and a United States Supreme Court Justice appointed by President George Washington, and reflected both the institution's beginnings in the city that also bears his name and the legislative mandate to move from a teachers' college to a broad-based liberal arts institution.

In August 2021, William Paterson University signed an agreement with Academic Partnerships, an online program manager.

[11] In November 2021, hundreds of workers and students protested planned layoffs at the school following a $30 million budget shortfall.

[15] William Paterson University is on a 370-acre (150 ha) hilly, wooded campus in northern New Jersey in the suburban township of Wayne.

The campus is located along the eastern town line of Wayne, and small parts of the campus are in the boroughs of Haledon and North Haledon, It borders on High Mountain Preserve, a forested area, nearly 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) of wetlands and woodlands, and is 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the historic Great Falls in Paterson.

[36] Two residence halls, High Mountain East and West, offer learning communities in collaboration with the university's Honors College, and feature smart classrooms that are used as part of the living/learning experience.

[39] William Paterson University's Club Sports include Cheerleading, Bowling, Equestrian, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Dance and Track.

[48] The Faculty Athletic Support Team (FAST) was established in 2013 by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, The Office of the Provost, and a number of faculty members, to create a formalized program to enhance communication and serve a resource to assist student-athletes with retention, success and growth.

[53] Cultural events take place on campus throughout the year, including theater productions, gallery exhibits, and concerts presenting jazz, classical, and contemporary music.