TCNJ vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

TCNJ vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg than TCNJ ($23,788 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 3.4% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($14,474 vs. $14,976).
• The College of New Jersey is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Harrisburg (about $3,660 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $15,972.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Penn State Harrisburg than at The College of New Jersey (about $1,206 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Harrisburg than at The College of New Jersey (63% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 44.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($13,360 vs. $9,245).

TCNJ vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg and TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 20 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Harrisburg students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

TCNJ vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Penn State Harrisburg's (63%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Penn State Harrisburg graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,568 lower median loan debt than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($240 vs. $277).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Harrisburg students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 69%)

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.