TCNJ vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ with Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

TCNJ vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or VCU? 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 VCU ($25,580 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 18% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($14,976 vs. $18,254).
• The College of New Jersey is 15.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $2,687 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.8% higher at VCU than at The College of New Jersey (about $14,357 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Commonwealth University than at The College of New Jersey (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 6.2% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($14,186 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 100 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 21.6% at VCU.

TCNJ vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University and TCNJ graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Commonwealth University and TCNJ graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($240 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 56%)

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.