TCNJ vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 4,666 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Providence College is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Providence College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Providence College 11:1.

TCNJ vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Providence? 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 Providence ($25,580 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 16.1% lower than at Providence College ($14,976 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 223.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $43,918 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.8% higher at Providence than at The College of New Jersey (about $37,798 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Providence College than at The College of New Jersey (83% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Providence College students is 138.6% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($31,873 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Providence Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or Providence? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Providence and TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Providence College (1320) is 80 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Providence students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Providence students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 19.2% at Providence.

TCNJ vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Providence? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Providence College's (85%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Providence graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Providence students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 80%)

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.