Emerson vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, 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 Emerson based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Emerson College 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: Emerson College 14:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Emerson vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson 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 Emerson ($25,580 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 28.4% lower than at Emerson College ($14,976 vs. $20,920).
• Emerson College is 190.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $37,424 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at Emerson than at The College of New Jersey (about $31,304 more per year; $57,056.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at The College of New Jersey (77% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 102.1% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($26,997 vs. $13,360).

Emerson vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson 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 Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Emerson College (1350) is 110 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Emerson 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: Emerson College 1270/1420; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Emerson students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Emerson (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Emerson vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson 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 Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($240 vs. $242).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson 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.