TCNJ vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Union College 9:1.

TCNJ vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or Union 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 Union College ($25,580 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 12% lower than at Union College ($14,976 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 251.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $49,407 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.1% higher at Union College than at The College of New Jersey (about $43,287 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at The College of New Jersey (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 218.4% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($42,534 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 160 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming Union College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at TCNJ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• TCNJ has a higher acceptance rate (62.3%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 13.9% at Union College.

TCNJ vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and Union 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 Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than TCNJ graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 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 Union College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Union College 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.