AU vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

AU vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or TCNJ? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The College of New Jersey than AU ($25,580 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 16.7% lower than at American University ($14,976 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 199.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $39,139 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.2% higher at AU than at The College of New Jersey (about $33,019 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at The College of New Jersey (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 172.1% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($36,349 vs. $13,360).

AU vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or TCNJ? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TCNJ and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 130 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming AU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

AU vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and TCNJ? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($240 vs. $250).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.