TCNJ vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Drexel University 9:1.

TCNJ vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($25,580 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 17.2% lower than at Drexel University ($14,976 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 217.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $42,780 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.4% higher at Drexel than at The College of New Jersey (about $36,660 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 162.4% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($35,051 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 100 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Drexel students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

TCNJ vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Drexel? 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 Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $2,993 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($240 vs. $271).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 77%)

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.