TCNJ vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

TCNJ vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than TCNJ ($18,211 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 8.9% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($14,976 vs. $16,436).
• The College of New Jersey is 119.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $10,679 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at TCNJ than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $6,549 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at The College of New Jersey (72% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 28.1% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($13,360 vs. $10,432).

TCNJ vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 40 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming TCNJ students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Purchase College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purchase College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

TCNJ vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Purchase 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($232 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 65%)

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.