TCNJ vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Chatham University 10:1.

TCNJ vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($25,580 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 9.2% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($13,600 vs. $14,976).
• Chatham University is 127.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $24,994 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.3% higher at Chatham than at The College of New Jersey (about $18,874 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 125.3% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($30,095 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 60 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

TCNJ vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Chatham? 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $25,400 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($211 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 62%)

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.