TCNJ vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

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

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

TCNJ vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($25,580 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 5.4% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($14,976 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 142% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $27,873 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.5% higher at Jefferson than at The College of New Jersey (about $21,753 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at The College of New Jersey (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 162% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($35,007 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCNJ or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson and TCNJ.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is 10 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Jefferson students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

TCNJ vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $60,800 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $62,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($12,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($129 vs. $240).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCNJ students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.