TCNJ vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (17,171 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); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of New Jersey 14:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

TCNJ vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCNJ or WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania than TCNJ ($22,546 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 1% lower than at The College of New Jersey ($14,828 vs. $14,976).
• The College of New Jersey is 82.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $8,857 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14% higher at TCNJ than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $3,153 more per year; $25,752.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at The College of New Jersey (73% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 134% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($13,360 vs. $5,709).

TCNJ vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The College of New Jersey (1240) is 50 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming TCNJ students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 1140/1340; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The College of New Jersey 26/31; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCNJ - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.7% at TCNJ vs. 22.4% at WCU.

TCNJ vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCNJ and WCU? 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania's (68%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of New Jersey graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, TCNJ graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($240 vs. $242).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.