Princeton vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• Princeton 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: Princeton University 5:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

Princeton vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than TCNJ ($15,313 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 26% lower than at Princeton University ($14,976 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 219.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $43,056 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.4% higher at Princeton than at The College of New Jersey (about $36,936 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at The College of New Jersey (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 414.4% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($68,727 vs. $13,360).

Princeton vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 310 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Princeton students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 1510/1580; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

Princeton vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than The College of New Jersey's (87%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $51,800 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $15,750 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($77 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 83%)

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.