George Washington vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington 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.

George Washington University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• George Washington 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: George Washington University 13:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

George Washington vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($25,580 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 11.5% lower than at George Washington University ($14,976 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 244.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $48,078 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 162.9% higher at George Washington than at The College of New Jersey (about $41,958 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at The College of New Jersey (78% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 180.7% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($37,500 vs. $13,360).

George Washington vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 190 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming George Washington students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than George Washington (47.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

George Washington vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $1,712 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 82%)

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.