TCNJ vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TCNJ vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College ($25,580 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 24.6% lower than at Lafayette College ($14,976 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 233.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $45,766 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154% higher at Lafayette College than at The College of New Jersey (about $39,646 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lafayette College than at The College of New Jersey (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 234.6% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($44,707 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 190 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lafayette College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

TCNJ vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than The College of New Jersey's (87%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($240 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.