Bentley vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Bentley based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 5,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Bentley 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: Bentley University 12:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Bentley vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley 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 Bentley ($25,580 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 25.6% lower than at Bentley University ($14,976 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 210.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $41,368 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.9% higher at Bentley than at The College of New Jersey (about $35,248 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bentley University than at The College of New Jersey (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bentley University students is 152% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($33,673 vs. $13,360).

Bentley vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley 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 Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bentley University (1360) is 120 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Bentley students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Bentley (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Bentley vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley 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).

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than The College of New Jersey's (87%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $25,100 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($240 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 85%)

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.