TCNJ vs. Bard College

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The College of New Jersey is larger than Bard College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Bard College is in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY (Town Fringe setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Bard College 9:1.

TCNJ vs. Bard College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Bard College? 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 Bard College ($25,580 vs. $29,320).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 20.6% lower than at Bard College ($14,976 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College is 238.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $46,804 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158% higher at Bard College than at The College of New Jersey (about $40,684 more per year; $66,436.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College than at The College of New Jersey (74% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College students is 313.4% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($55,235 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Bard College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or Bard College? 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 Bard College and TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bard College (1360) is 120 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Bard College 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: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Bard College 1270/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Bard College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Bard College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Bard College Jan 1, 2027.
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Bard College (52.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 12.8% at Bard College.

TCNJ vs. Bard College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Bard College? 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 Bard College's (76%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Bard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $2,944 lower median loan debt than Bard College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,194).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bard College graduates ($240 vs. $270).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bard College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.