TCNJ vs. VMI

Comparable Facts

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

The College of New Jersey is larger than VMI based on total student enrollment (8,141 students vs. 1,527 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of New Jersey is located in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Military Institute is in Lexington, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Military Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; Virginia Military Institute 9:1.

TCNJ vs. VMI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or VMI? 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 Virginia Military Institute than TCNJ ($18,825 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Military Institute are 24.5% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($11,310 vs. $14,976).
• Virginia Military Institute is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCNJ (about $1,414 more per year; $21,046.00 vs. $19,632.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.4% higher at VMI than at The College of New Jersey (about $26,886 more per year; $52,638.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Military Institute than at The College of New Jersey (81% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Military Institute students is 78.3% larger than aid received by The College of New Jersey students ($23,821 vs. $13,360).

TCNJ vs. VMI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 80 points higher than at VMI (1160).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at VMI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; Virginia Military Institute 1050/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; Virginia Military Institute 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; VMI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027; VMI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VMI students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• VMI has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 31.7% at VMI.

TCNJ vs. VMI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and VMI? 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 Military Institute's (69%).
• Graduates of The College of New Jersey and VMI have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $62,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than VMI graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VMI graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VMI students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 84%)

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.