TCNJ vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 1,808 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TCNJ vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or F&M? 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 F&M ($25,580 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 7.5% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($14,976 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 260.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $51,162 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.9% higher at F&M than at The College of New Jersey (about $45,042 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at The College of New Jersey (80% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 213.6% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($41,901 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or F&M? 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 F&M and TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Franklin and Marshall College (1390) is 150 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming F&M students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 17.1% at F&M.

TCNJ vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and F&M? 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 Franklin and Marshall College's (85%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $200 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Franklin and Marshall College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($22,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, F&M graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($227 vs. $240).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 85%)

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.